| In 1942, the Federal Government established The Office of War
Information (OWI). This federal agency was created to serve as an
important U.S. government propaganda agency during World War II.
"Its function was to formulate and execute information
programs, in the United States and abroad, and to promote an
understanding of the status and progress of the war effort and of
war policies, activities and aims of the U.S government."
Out of OWI, came a series of propaganda posters. These posters
were displayed in defense plants, government agencies and other
locales. The posters displayed here came from the Washington Navy
Yard, also known a s The Naval Gun Factory. While the Gun Factory no
longer produces guns, it still exits and is located between the
Anacostia River and M street in southeast Washington.
My father, Robert M. Carnahan, worked in the Washington Navy Yard
from 1904 to 1945. During the World War II, he brought these posters
home. Many of the posters emphasis the importance of not talking
about troop movements. Others focus on the home front. The Four
Freedom posters were drawn by the noted artist Norman Rockwell. |
