World War II, which began in 1939 and ended in 1945, was the deadliest and most destructive war in history. Before the war, Germany, America, and the rest of the world were going through the Great Depression. The economy was very bad, unemployment was at an all-time high, and massive inflation caused money to lose its value. More than fifty nations in the world were fighting, with more than 100 million soldiers deployed. Countries like America and Britain were part of the Allied powers. Japan and Germany were part of the Axis powers.
Explore this section to learn more about World War II.
See You Next Year! High School Yearbooks from WWII
Millions of teenagers coming of age during the war years documented their school days in much the same way students still do today: in annuals and in yearbooks. Today, these yearbooks offer a perspective on a world in upheaval that is both rich and uniquely personal.
The Digital Collections of The National WWII Museum
The National World War II Museum is home to thousands of oral histories and hundreds of thousands of photographs. This website offers the visitor a way to browse a sample of these collections and purchase images if interested.
Get in the Scrap!
Inspired by the scrapping efforts of students during World War II, Get in the Scrap! is a national service learning project for students in grades 4-8 all about recycling and energy conservation. Your students have the power to affect positive change on the environment; much like students 70 years ago played a positive role on the Home Front in securing victory in WWII.