World War II

Banker Amadeo Pietro Giannini was born on May 6, 1870, in San Jose, California.  Giannini found his success in offering loans to immigrants who were denied elsewhere.  He also helped fund projects such as the Golden Gate Bridge and World War II ships.

On April 9, 1942, the largest number of US forces was captured at the end of the Battle of Bataan, leading to the Bataan Death March.  Today, this date is commemorated as National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day.

April 5 is known as “Go For Broke” Day, in honor of the 442nd Infantry Regiment, the most decorated unit for its size in US military history. The regiment was composed entirely of Nisei (children of Japanese immigrants) who volunteered to join the war effort, displaying inspiring valor and loyalty to America.

Award-winning graphic designer J. Bradbury Thompson was born on March 25, 1911, in Topeka, Kansas. Thompson designed more than 100 US postage stamps and influenced countless others, making him one of the most prolific US stamp designers in history.

On March 16, 1937, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge was established in Delaware. The refuge projects vital wetlands and salt marshes that serve as important breeding and wintering grounds for hundreds of species of waterfowl and migrating birds.

Ezra Jack Keats was born on March 11, 1916, in Brooklyn, New York.  Keats was a writer and illustrator of children’s books, most famously, The Snowy Day.

Dean Cornwell was born on March 5, 1892, in Louisville, Kentucky. A prominent illustrator and muralist, his work became familiar to many Americans, appearing in books, advertisements, and World War II posters. He was known as the “Dean of Illustrators.”

On February 23, 1905, the Rotary Club was founded in Chicago, Illinois.  Since then, its grown into an international service organization spreading goodwill and understanding around the world.

On February 19, 1945, the Battle of Iwo Jima began.  It was one of the bloodiest of the whole war, with over 44,000 combined casualties.