The 1940s

This photo of a former member of the Hitler Youth - Hitlerjugend - being sentenced for espionage in 1945, has made waves online over the years. It shows 16 year old Karl Arno Punzeller, a leader in the Hitler Youth organization, listening as he is told that his death sentence has been commuted to life imprisonment. Karl had been reporting American troop movements to the Nazis and a German court had convicted him of espionage, giving him the death sentence. The photo and the story behind it is sad, while also interesting. See some of the propaganda - from both sides - that dominated during World War 2. It's no wonder that people had very strong opinions and feelings that their side was right.

From World War 2 through the declaration of peace and into the birth of the Baby Boomers, life in the 1940's wasn't easy. But our parents and grandparents lived their lives with courage, honor, and great optimism about the future. The war and the Great Depression was over, the Dust Bowl was gone - almost 20 years of tough challenges - and life was good again. These are some of the many 1940s photos that shows what the previous generations lived through, and what they did to thrive.

First performed by Bing Crosby (on radio) on Christmas in 1941, Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" has become a classic. Bing Crosby's version of the song has sold over 100 million copies and all versions of it have sold over 150 million copies! This is a clip from the 1942 film "Holiday Inn". It was the first time that the song appeared in a movie. Bing sings, of course (how can anyone imitate that voice!) but actress Marjorie Reynolds' voice is dubbed by Martha Mears. We hear this song every year at

The Holocaust led by Adolf Hitler during World War 2 claimed the lives of millions. The Holocaust photo collection contains the images of approximately 3,000 children whose lives were taken from them. Many of these images are shared by community member Alyssa McIntosh who works tirelessly to make sure that we never forget the young victims. See just some of these young faces of those who lost their lives below...it's heartbreaking. We'll never know what talent was lost, what they would have become, and what they would have added to our lives.

Desmond Doss, born in Virginia in 1919, was the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor. He saved by his count 50 (by the Army's count 75) men in the Battle of Hacksaw Ridge and was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his brave efforts. He was also left with one lung due to contracting TB and lost five ribs from injuries along with most of his hearing due to the antibiotics used to treat the TB. After World War 2, Desmond returned home to his wife and bought a small farm in Georgia where he lived until his death in 2006. This is his true story (all quotes are from The Conscientious Objector Documentary):

In the 19th century, general stores were the place to shop for everything. Eventually these small businesses morphed into department stores of the 20th century. In the 21st century of course internet shopping became the new way to get what you wanted. These photos highlight the mid 20th century department store where there was an elevator operator announcing the floors (second floor, shoes, hats, jewelry, lingerie; third floor mezzanine and cafe...). Where you could buy everything from tobacco products to notions to high fashion. Discover what shopping used to be like when it was a destination, but also a pastime.

The 1940's were influenced by the dominant event of the decade - World War 2. It's no wonder that coming out of the Great Depression and dealing with the trauma of a World War that fashion was more sober and less flamboyant. Discover what everday fashion looked like in the 1940's with this collection of family photos shared by the community.