Vernon Historical Collection Depicts Bond Movement After Pearl Harbor

VERNON, CT — The attacks on Pearl Harbor took place on Dec. 7 — 81 years ago — and one collection at the Vernon Historical Society recalls not only how it spurred Connecticut residents to flock to recruiting stations, but to invest in the Allies.

The society is in possession of several War Bond posters that were, in-part, graphic and also part inspirational.

According to the National World War II Museum website, World War II was expensive to the U.S. with a price tag of more than $300 billion, a staggering amount in the 1940s.

To help fund the "war effort," the United States Treasury offered Americans a series of War Bonds that could be purchased for $18.75, then cashed in 10 years after the conflict ended for $25.

The funds were used to help pay for items like armaments, supplies, uniforms, medicine and food. A return of $6.25 on each bond was a decent sum back then, the museum points out.

Posters, like the one attached, typically showed Uncle Sam or a soldier on a battlefield and implored people to "do their part." Celebrities like Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Bette Davis and Marlene Dietrich went on tour to promote bond sales, the museum tells us.

War stamps could be purchased for 25 cents and were them pasted into War Bond booklets. Many schools tried t0 out-do each other on stamp collections, the museum tells us.