When we think of World War II, the first images that enter our minds usually involve battle: armies fighting their desperate struggles on land, huge navies patrolling the oceans, and aircraft soaring sleekly overhead.
All of these stirring images are accurate, of course, and yet they are also incomplete. Consider this: A total of 16 million Americans donned the country’s uniform in the course of the war, out of a total US population of 132 million (according to the 1940 Census).
An impressive number, to be sure! But what of the other 116 million Americans, the ones who remained behind? They played a crucial role in the fight, and their story, too, deserves to be told. Global war placed great demands on the American people, requiring a level of involvement, commitment, and sacrifice unknown in previous conflicts. Without the steadfast support of the “Home Front”—the factory churning out weapons, the mother feeding her family while carefully monitoring her ration book, the child collecting scrap metal for the war effort—US soldiers, sailors, and airmen could not have fought and defeated the Axis. America and its Allies did win World War II on the battlefields of Normandy, Iwo Jima, and Midway. However, those victories owed a great deal to the factories of Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Detroit, and to the dedication of ordinary Americans coast to coast.
Another reason to study the Home Front is the vast social transformation wrought by World War II. Simply put, World War II changed our country forever. For African Americans, the war meant an opportunity to partake fully in national life, a chance denied them up to then. They answered the call in great numbers, serving heroically in all services and on all fronts, migrating up from the South and moving into industrial work all over the country. They knew what was at stake in the war, and they said so: It was time to win a “double victory,” one over fascism abroad and another over racism at home. Women, too, left behind their traditional domestic roles and entered the industrialworkforce by the millions. “Rosie the Riveter”—in her blue coveralls, her hair tied up in a scarf, her bicep flexed, and her famous slogan “We Can Do It!”—was the new icon. America could not have won the war unless everyone answered the call. And like a great fire, World War II touched us all.
Welcome to the Home Front.
FAQs
A full day at the Museum allows you to see all of our soaring pavilions and enjoy one of our incredible add-on experiences.
Is it safe to walk to ww2 Museum from French Quarter? ›
Yes, it is safe to walk from the French Quarter from the museum. There are sidewalks the entire distance and nearly everywhere in and around the French Quarter. Use the same caution and awareness you would while traveling in any city.
What is the final mission at the ww2 Museum New Orleans? ›
Final Mission: USS Tang Submarine Experience places visitors aboard the most successful submarine in World War II for its fifth and final war patrol on October 25, 1944.
How many WWII veterans are still alive? ›
Every day, memories of World War II are disappearing from living history. The men and women who fought and won this great conflict are now in their 90s or older; according to US Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, 119,550 of the 16.4 million Americans who served in World War II are alive as of 2023.
Is the WWII museum worth it? ›
The National WWII Museum is the top-rated tourist destination in New Orleans and #2 in the U.S., and an unforgettable way to experience World War II—from industrial efforts on the home front to the combat experience of the American servicemember abroad.
Can you take pictures in ww2 museum New Orleans? ›
Yes. Please no flash or recording in the galleries or Beyond All Boundaries.
Does the New Orleans trolley go to the WWII Museum? ›
The 12 is the first Streetcar that goes to The National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
Is it safe to go to Bourbon Street at night? ›
Bourbon Street is generally considered safe during the day and early evening hours. If you'd like to go for a stroll to see what there is to see, this is the best time to do it. However, once night falls, be sure to lead with common sense.
Is French Quarter safe for tourists? ›
Stay and play in a safe neighborhood
As previously mentioned, the well-trodden tourist tracks of New Orleans are, for the most part, perfectly safe for visitors. Areas such as Uptown, the Garden District and the very popular French Quarter, all have low crime rates and are close to the main attractions.
Was the submarine Wahoo ever found? ›
But the luck of the Wahoo had run out. For decades, relatives have searched for clues to the disappearance. Russian divers' discovery of wreckage this past July and the U.S. Navy's official confirmation in October that it was the Wahoo resolves a mystery that had haunted the Silent Service for more than 60 years.
The USS TANG is located off the mainland coast of China near Oksu and Turnabout Islands. She lies in 180 feet of water, but has never "officially" been found.
Are there any World War 1 veterans alive? ›
As of 2011 there are no surviving veterans of The Great War. Despite more than 4 million soldiers being mobilized, and more than 65,000 being killed in the short amount of time, the fact that the war ended more than 100 years ago makes it impossible that someone called up to fight could be alive today.
Why is D Day called D Day? ›
Many people think they know the answer: designated day, decision day, doomsday, or even death day. In other words, the D in D-Day merely stands for Day. This coded designation was used for the day of any important invasion or military operation.
How long do people spend at the Imperial War Museum? ›
The Imperial War Museum is busiest on Saturdays in particular, so we recommend coming on a weekday if you can. It is recommended to set aside around 3 hours to see everything, but many people seem to be satisfied with just 2 hours.
How big is the World War 2 Museum? ›
The 32,512-square-foot pavilion brings visitors inside the story of how the war was won.
How long does the World War 1 Museum take? ›
We spent at least 5-6 hrs walking , reading some display descriptions, viewing video, but nothing in great detail. If you were to read it all, i am going to bet could be 2 days. This includes the tower and the 2 additional buildings which are definitely worth it.
