1/13/2024 0 Comments Victory day europe posterAll Together,” that featured an image chosen to underscore the collective effort still needed to win the war: the famous flag raising on Iwo Jima. Within months, the Treasury Department shifted their focus, creating a new 7th War Loan poster, titled “Now. Officials were deeply concerned that a war-weary public, caught up in the relief of V-E Day, would not respond as they had in the past. On May 8, 1945, a billboard on the grounds of the Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation announced the upcoming 7th War Loan Drive, a crucial source of funding needed to maintain momentum in the Pacific. The ramifications were felt beyond that day. At noon, the city’s official commemoration brought together church representatives, leaders from all branches of the armed forces, the mayor, and city and county politicians to speak about the moment and what lay ahead. Now All Togetherįlags flew at half-mast and churches opened their doors for prayer. Courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Government Printing Office for the Department of the Treasury, 1945. “7th war loan poster, Now … All Together,” C. (No doubt the European background of many workers played into their personal responses.) But the main message was clear: Stay at your duty post. This did not stop everyone there were reports of coal mines that could not operate due to absenteeism, and some factories reported problems as well. The theme of the day, stressed Mayor Scully, was “Work and Pray.” This echoed President Truman’s request, for “work, work, and more work.” Factory whistles blew to inform millworkers of the news (you can read another Making History blogpost about how Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation planned their response to V-E Day), but their shifts continued. While many people still responded by celebrating and downtown businesses launched a slew of ticker tape out of high-rise windows, authorities consistently strove to emphasize the larger goals at stake. While retail stores and restaurants were encouraged to stay open, bars and liquor stores were closed. It would also be a sober one, at least officially. Then the Fire Department, bending to the Mayor’s preferences, announced that the fire sirens would not sound: the event was to be a somber reflection of everything that had gone into creating this moment. Should businesses close? Should the sirens blow? At first, preliminary plans in April called for the city’s fire department and air raid sirens to mark the anticipated news, a goal complicated by the fact that the air raid sirens had not been used much since 1944. They worried about elation turning into public distraction and inappropriate displays of “bedlam” when there were still men on the front lines in the Pacific. Celebrate, Work, and PrayĪuthorities in Pittsburgh agonized for months over how to respond to the day they knew was coming. Press photo showing Pittsburghers covered with ticker tape, The Pittsburgh Press, May 8, 1945. Although the context is certainly different, it is a sentiment with renewed relevance again today. As marks the transition of the first group of Pennsylvania counties back to a partially “re-opened” status following weeks of shut down caused by the coronavirus pandemic, we look back at how this region struck a delicate balance 75 years ago, charting a public response that acknowledged the elation of V-E Day, but urged people to continue maintaining their resolve until the full victory was won. But those feelings were tempered by the realization that the war was not yet won, and perhaps worse was on the horizon. Victory in Europe Day, or V-E Day, marked a moment of profound joy and relief in Pittsburgh and the nation. on the morning of May 8, 1945, President Harry Truman confirmed the news in a radio broadcast: World War II in Europe was over. Where was the official word from Washington? Finally, at 9 a.m. But false alarms had come from Europe before. Rumors and bulletins on indicated that Germany had surrendered. ![]() ![]() Gaughan Collection.Īt first, not everyone in Pittsburgh believed the news. ![]() Courtesy of the University of Pittsburgh, William J. 7th war Loan Fund Drive promotion on the grounds of Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation, May 8, 1945.
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