WW I Poster: Joan of Arc Saved France

The 1918 poster "Joan of Arc," by Haskell Coffin (1878-1941), was commissioned by the United States Treasury Department as part of the campaign to raise money for the First World War by having civilians buy war savings stamps. The low priced stamps were pasted into a booklet that when filled could be exchanged for a war bond.

The magnificent poster features Joan in full armor, brandishing a sword, but with 20th century embelishments like lipstick and makeup. The image includes Christian symbolism with the subtext that as Joan was doing God's work to save France in her day, so contemporary Americans should join the fight in their own time.

The use of the strong female Joan of Arc image was also motivated by the fact that women's clubs were an important channel for the bond sales program.

For further historical information, visit Joan of Arc – Maid of Heaven.

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Today in WW II: 9 Jul 1940 Battle of Calabria [Battle of Punta Stilo, the toe of Italy] fought between the Italian Royal Navy and the British/Australian Royal Navies, 30 miles [48km] east of Punta Stilo. More ?

9 Jul 1943 US-British invasion of Sicily begins [night of 9-10 Jul].
9 Jul 1944 British and Canadian forces capture Caen from the Germans, a critical post-D-Day objective in Normandy, France.
9 Jul 1944 US forces reach the northern end of Saipan, finding thousands of Japanese civilian men, women, and children who commit suicide by leaping off the cliffs rather than be captured.
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