Decorating Ideas
Hang
gliders or airplanes from the ceiling. Use
a patriotic centerpiece.
Small Gifts were presented to the GI's by the USO Hostesses; Present small gifts
(favors to the soldiers).
Give something to all the kids like gliders or toy
jeeps.
International Affairs in 1940s
May 27, 1941. Unlimited National Emergency declared in the U.S. after
Germany invades Yugoslavia, Greece and Crete.
June 22, 1941. Germany invades the Soviet Union.
December 7, 1941. Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The U.S. officially
enters World War II.
1942. Battles rage in the Pacific Ocean.
Companies, Inventions, Discoveries & Technology 1941
Penicillin is mass produced.
April 11, 1941. Ford signs its first contract with a labor union.
Humanities and The Arts, Entertainment & Sports 1941
Edward Hopper paints "Nighthawks."
In support of America's war effort, Pepsi changes the color of its bottle
crowns to red, white and blue. A Pepsi canteen in Times Square,
New York, operates throughout the war, enabling more than a million
families to record messages for armed services personnel overseas.
WWII & Movie Poster Art
1941- Present Movie Posters
Posters on the American Home Front, 1941-1945
Make Memories
Ask each family member for several pictures of their families and any old
pictures they might have of their parents. The best way to handle this is to get in touch
with a videographer and get some ideas from him. It's really was not that expensive to do.
Play this video at the party. Set up a TV & VCR in a corner and keep the video going
for people to stop by and watch for a little while. Give a copy of the video to each
family . It is a good way to keep the memories for a lifetime.
Rent a video of a Movie from 1941 (Citizen Kane, How Green Was My Valley, The Maltese
Falcon, Sergeant York, Sullivan's Travels, Suspicion, You'll Never Get Rich) Fibber McGee
and Molly was a favorite Radio Show in 1941, set up and area with an old radio and play a
tape of the radio broadcasts. (There is a website listed below that has sound clips
from the radio show), record these and set a tape player behind the Radio and play the
tape.
Asked each child and grandchild to write a one-page memoir of their most
special memories of the Birthday Person. Use family photos of the birthday person's
wedding, various holidays or vacations taken with their children and grandchildren.
Create or make poster boards and display them on easels all around the party area.
What to Wear:
Guys could come dressed as GI's,
Captains Hat,
Army Dress Up - Girls as Canteen Hostesses or Rosie the Riveter
(Of all the images of working women during World War II, the image of women in factories
predominates. Rosie the Riveter--the strong, competent woman dressed in overalls and
Red Bandanas --were introduced as a symbol of patriotic womanhood. The accoutrements of war
work--uniforms, tools, and lunch pails--were incorporated into the revised image of the
feminine ideal.)
Food:
Lots of Snacks Foods ( this was the foods served in canteens) Pepsi is a must (1941- In
support of America's war effort, Pepsi changes the color of its bottle crowns to red,
white and blue. A Pepsi canteen in Times Square, New York, operates throughout the war,
enabling more than a million families to record messages for armed services personnel
overseas.
INFORMATION FROM 1941
Establishing the Canteen- 1941
The canteen officially started December 25, 1941, as young women met soldiers traveling
through North Platte that Christmas Day and presented them with snacks and small gifts.
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt challenged six private organizations; the YMCA,
YWCA, the National Catholic Community Service, the National Jewish Welfare Board, the
Traveler Aid Association, and the Salvation Army to handle the on-leave recreation needs
for the members of the Armed Forces. The six organizations pooled their resources and the
United Service Organizations which quickly became known as the USO was incorporated
in New York State on February 4, 1941. The first USO centers were in railroad
sleeping cars, barns, museums, and churches, and within its first four years had
operations in three thousand locations.
MOVIES FROM THE 40'S
You'll Never Get Rich (1941) - Sidney
Lanfield / Fred Astaire, Rita Hayworth. Citizen Kane (1941) - Orson
Welles / Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten.
How Green was my Valley (1941) - John Ford / Maureen O'Hara.
The Maltese Falcon (1941) - John Huston / Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor.
Meet John Doe (1941) - Frank Capra / Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck.
Sergeant York (1941) - Howard Hawks / Gary Cooper.
Sullivan's Travels (1941) - Preston Sturges / Veronica Lake.
Suspicion (1941) - Alfred Hitchcock / Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine.
You'll Never Get Rich (1941) - Sidney Lanfield / Fred Astaire, Rita
Hayworth.
Disney - Original story and sketch of Donald from "Early to bed" 1941
Disney Canine Caddy 1941
Wolf Man (1941) directed by George Waggner
1940s
MUSIC
Welcome to the Skylighters Canteen Ballroom. One of the most popular reasons for hitting
the Canteen was the dancing. The 1941 Wurlitzer Model 750 was loaded with some great music
to get your feet tapping, so girls work that skirt and guys grab the nearest girl! Sing along with Proud To Be American or dance to the sounds of
the Big Band music!
1940'S RADIO
Click here...
From April 16, 1935 to September 6, 1959
one of the best-known addresses in the USA was the home of Fibber McGee
and Molly. They resided at 79 Wistful Vista in a Midwestern city where
the popular shows took place. Initially the show was broadcast on
Mondays, but eventually it was moved to Tuesday evenings where it stayed
for most of its run. Fibber was just that - a fibber, a braggart, a man
who stretched his stories and ideas to the limit, often to the dismay of
his patient spouse Molly. McGee took telling tall tales to a fine art.
His wild ideas and schemes were the basis for the show which usually
took place in the living-room at their home. They didn't enjoy quiet
evenings alone because there was always a steady stream of visitors,
each a character in their own way, who added to the confusion and
hilarity.
Create a Forties
"40's" Theme Party your guest will remember for years to come!
