East Texas State Teachers College in World War II

ETSTC and the National War Bonds Effort

Students at ETSTC were regularly involved in supporting national efforts to raise money through war bonds. War bonds were pushed heavily by the national government in the form of bond drives. Through the use of posters, radio, and advertisements playing before movies, citizens of the United States were constantly encouraged to purchase war bonds in any capacity they could afford.

Seven times, the United States called on its people to serve not in battle but in the bank. In November of 1942, the country was first encouraged to buy war bonds that would supply their sons and brothers overseas with bullets and bread. Everywhere an American went, there was an advertisement about bonds. With posters across towns, celebrities' radio announcements, and videos before films, war bonds became a patriotic event that would motivate men, women, and children to raise $185 billion in total during the seven drives.