Kilroy Was Here! from the Ohio Historical Society…
“During World War II, the saying ‘Kilroy Was Here!’ began to appear as graffiti at home and wherever the American military traveled abroad. Eventually the saying, and the cartoon character that often accompanied it, came to represent
Propaganda also abounded at home during World War II. The Aflac duck and the car insurance General have nothing on this doe-eyed piece of manipulation. Posters urged citizens to participate actively and heartily in the war effort. Even on the home front this was “total war:” food and raw materials were rationed to make more available for the troops; Uncle Sam solicited war bonds to raise money; innocent children and brave soldiers alike warned civilians that loose lips sink ships. See more posters here, and wonder if any of their almost naively manipulative tactics would fly with modern audiences.
– Written by Jennifer Duann
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Ohiowarstories.org is funded by the Ohio Humanities Council.
With generous support from the Longaberger Foundation, we are recording WWII stories in Licking County.
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