World War II: The American Home Front in Color


In 1942, soon after the United States entered World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order creating the Office of War Information (OWI). The new agency was tasked with releasing war news, promoting patriotic activities, and providing news outlets with audio, film, and photos of the government's war efforts. Between 1939 and 1944, the OWI and the Farm Security Administration made thousands of photographs, approximately 1,600 of them in color. In the early war years, OWI photographers Alfred Palmer and Howard Hollem produced some exceptional Kodachrome transparencies depicting military preparedness, factory operations, and women in the work force. While most of the scenes were posed, the subjects were the real thing -- soldiers and workers preparing for a long fight. Gathered here are some of these color images from Palmer and Hollem, complete with original captions from 1942. Also be sure to see these archival movies in our new Video Channel. All of the FSA/OWI photos are available from the Library of Congress. (This entry is Part 8 of a weekly 20-part retrospective of World War II)

Read more
Hints: View this page full screen. Skip to the next and previous photo by typing j/k or ←/→.

Most Recent

  • Maryland National Guard / Reuters

    Photos of the Week: Snow Blooms, Giant Eggs, Dragon’s Teeth

    A wildfire in Venezuela, a deadly terrorist attack in Russia, a surf competition in Australia, Holy Week processions in Spain, a vast solar power farm in Texas, and much more.

  • Lukas Walter / World Nature Photography Awards

    Winners of the 2024 World Nature Photography Awards

    Some of the top nature photography featured in this year’s competition

  • Raj K Raj / Hindustan Times / Getty

    Holi 2024: The Festival of Colors

    Images of this year’s colorful Holi festivals from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Kenya, and the U.S.

  • Idrees Mohammed / AFP / Getty

    Photos of the Week: Green River, Fire Ritual, Space Needle

    A massive ballet class in Mexico City, the Night of Ghosts festival in Greece, severe tornado damage in Indiana, a St. Patrick's Day parade in Tokyo, and much more