A young boy standing on a parade float during a Fourth of July celebration in Vale, Oregon, in 1941. Wearing a patriotic outfit and holding an American flag, he represents the way national holidays were marked in small towns across the country. At the time, the United States had not yet entered World War II, but public displays of patriotism were already common and meaningful. Scenes like this were less about spectacle and more about community, with local families turning out to celebrate the country and pass those traditions on to the next generation.
Together we win / James Montgomery Flag
World War I–era poster shows a shipyard worker marching in step with a sailor and a soldier, driving home the message that the war effort depended on everyone. Created for the United States Shipping Board’s Emergency Fleet Corporation, also showing that industrial labor supported troops overseas by building and supplying ships. The hammer and dockside setting connect factory work directly to national defense. Helping Americans see shipyards and workshops as front-line contributions, not just support roles.