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20 Vintage Photos Showing Florida During the 1940s

Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to the south by the Straits of Florida and Cuba; it is the only state that borders both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Spanning 65,758 square miles (170,310 km2), Florida ranks 22nd in area among the 50 states, and with a population of over 21 million, is the third-most populous. The state capital is Tallahassee and the most populous city is Jacksonville. The Miami metropolitan area, with a population of almost 6.2 million, is the most populous urban area in Florida and the seventh-most populous in the United States; other urban conurbations with over one million people are Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Jacksonville.

Various Native American groups have inhabited Florida for at least 14,000 years. In 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León became the first known European to make landfall, calling the region La Florida ([la floˈɾiða] for its lush greenery and the Easter season (Pascua Florida in Spanish). Florida subsequently became the first area in the continental U.S. to be permanently settled by Europeans, with the Spanish colony of St. Augustine, founded in 1565, being the oldest continuously inhabited city. Florida was repeatedly contested by Spain and Great Britain, before being ceded to the U.S. in 1819; it was admitted as the 27th state on March 3, 1845. Florida was the principal location of the Seminole Wars (1816–1858), the longest and most extensive of the Indian Wars in U.S. history. The state seceded from the Union on January 10, 1861, becoming one of the seven original Confederate States. After the Civil War, Florida was restored to the Union on June 25, 1868.

Since the mid-20th century, Florida has experienced rapid demographic and economic growth. Its $1.0 trillion economy is the fourth-largest of any U.S. state and the 16th-largest in the world; the main sectors are tourism, hospitality, agriculture, real estate, and transportation. Florida is world-renowned for its beach resorts, amusement parks, warm and sunny climate, and nautical recreation; attractions such as Walt Disney World, the Kennedy Space Center, and Miami Beach draw tens of millions of visitors annually. Florida is a popular destination for retirees, seasonal vacationers, and both domestic and international migrants; it hosts nine out of the ten fastest-growing communities in the U.S. The state’s close proximity to the ocean has shaped its culture, identity, and daily life; its colonial history and successive waves of migration are reflected in African, European, Indigenous, Latino, and Asian influences. Florida has attracted or inspired writers such as Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams, and continues to attract celebrities and athletes, particularly in golf, tennis, auto racing, and water sports. Florida is also heavily noted for being a battleground state in American presidential elections, notably those in 2000, 2016, and 2020.

About two-thirds of Florida occupies a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. It has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States, spanning approximately 1,350 miles (2,170 km), not including its many barrier islands. Florida has 4,510 islands that are ten acres (4 ha) or larger in area, the second highest number after Alaska. Much of the state is at or near sea level, and is characterized by sedimentary soil. Florida is the flattest state in the country, with the lowest high point of any U.S. state, at just 345 feet (105 meters). Lake Okeechobee is its largest freshwater lake, and the second-largest located entirely within the contiguous 48 states. Several beaches in Florida have turquoise and emerald-colored coastal waters.

Florida’s climate varies from subtropical in the north to tropical in the south. It is the only state besides Hawaii to have a tropical climate, and is the only continental state with both a tropical climate (at the lower tip of the peninsula) and a coral reef. Consequently, Florida has several unique ecosystems, most notably Everglades National Park, the largest tropical wilderness in the U.S. and among the largest in the Americas. Unique wildlife include the American alligator, American crocodile, American flamingo, Roseate spoonbill, Florida panther, bottlenose dolphin, and manatee. The Florida Reef is the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States, and the third-largest coral barrier reef system in the world (after the Great Barrier Reef and Belize Barrier Reef). (Wikipedia)

**Naples Municipal Pier, Florida, 1947**

**“Queen of Hearts” Beauty Contest in Saint Petersburg, Florida, 1949**

**Drive-in Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, 1947**

**Guests of Sarasota trailer park, Sarasota, Florida, enjoying the sun and sea breeze at the beach. January 1941.**

**Truckloads of celery arriving at packing house. Belle Glade, Florida. January 1941.**

**Guest of Sarasota trailer park, Sarasota, Florida, with his family, picnicking at the beach. January 1941.**

**Amish farmers from Pennsylvania observing farming methods near Sarasota, Florida. January 1941.**

**Escambia Farms, Okaloosa, Florida. Boiling wash water on the McLelland farm. June 1942.**

**Guests of Sarasota trailer park, Sarasota, Florida, picnicking at the beach. January 1941.**

**Construction workers drinking beer in Soldier’s Joy Cafe near Camp Blanding, Starke, Florida. December 1940.**

**Citrus pickers at work in a Tampa, Florida orange grove, 1940**

**Car and driver for Airlines Service, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida. 1940s**

**A couple pushing a baby stroller through a trailer park in Sarasota, Florida, 1946**

**Naval Photography School students loading aerial camera on to a plane at NAS Pensacola, 1942**

**Women waiting outside of Furchgott’s retail store in Jacksonville, Florida, 1949**

**The F. W. Woolworth Store on Franklin Street, Tampa, Florida, 1942.**

**Pedestrians outside the F.W. Woolworth Co. department store, Tampa, Florida, 1941.**

30 Fantastic Vintage Photos Showing Women’s Fashion in the 1920s

30 Awful Album Covers Volume 6

David Bowie With His Wife Angie Bowie at Victoria Station Before He Left on a Train to Paris, July 1973

Bowie’s first marriage to Cypriot-American model Angela Bowie ended in divorce and estrangement.

Angela, or ‘Angie’ as she is known, was only 19 when she met Bowie at a gig at The Roundhouse in London in 1969. The pair were married one year later and a year after that welcomed their son, Duncan Zowie Haywood Jones.

Following their divorce in 1980, Angela has said she lost contact with both Bowie and Duncan and hinted at her parents’ strained relationship with her former husband.

Here are some interesting photos of David Bowie with his wife Angie Bowie at Victoria station before he left on a train to Paris in July 1973.

Photographer Recreated Iconic Portraits Using John Malkovich as His Model, And the Results Are Absolutely Brilliant!

At the age of sixteen, upon seeing the work of Irving Penn, Sandro Miller knew he wanted to become a photographer. Mostly self-taught, Sandro relied on books published by many of the great artists canonized in photographic history. Through their pictures, he learned the art of composition, lighting and portraiture. More than 30 years later, with clients ranging from Forbes, GQ and Esquire, to American Express, Coca-Cola and BMW, Sandro has secured his place as one of the top advertising photographers worldwide.

His success in the commercial world allows him to continue his personal projects, which has included working in Cuba, photographing American blues musicians, various dance troupes, and extended endeavors with John Malkovich, his long time friend and collaborator. Sandro first met Malkovich in the late 1990s, while working on a job for Steppenwolf Theater. More than 16 years later, Sandro and John are still collaborating, which can be seen in their latest project, Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich: Homage to Photographic Masters.

In 2013, Sandro decided to do a project honoring the men and women whose photographs helped shape his career. After selecting thirty-five images to emulate, Sandro contacted Malkovich, who instantly agreed to participate. When speaking about Malkovich, Sandro states: “John is the most brilliant, prolific person I know. His genius is unparalleled. I can suggest a mood or an idea and within moments, he literally morphs into the character right in front of my eyes. He is so trusting of my work and our process… I’m truly blessed to have him as my friend and collaborator.”

Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich: Homage to Photographic Masters honors photographs that have impacted Sandro. Pieces include Irving Penn’s photograph of Truman Capote in a corner; Bert Stern’s photographs of Marilyn Monroe; Dorothea Lange’s image of a migrant mother; Robert Mapplethorpe’s self-portrait with a gun; Annie Leibovitz’s iconic image of John Lennon and Yoko Ono; Diane Arbus’s classic photo of a boy with a hand grenade; Richard Avedon’s beekeeper, among many others.

John Malkovich is considered to be one the greatest American actors of the 21st century. In Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich: Homage to Photographic Masters, he demonstrates his chameleon-like proclivity, morphing into Albert Einstein, Che Guevara, John Lennon and Andy Warhol. Through his immense skill and Sandro’s amazing photographic eye, Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich: Homage to Photographic Masters pays respect to photographic history through the genius of a photographer and his muse.

**Sandro Miller, Dorothea Lange / Migrant Mother, Nipomo, California (1936), 2014**

**Sandro Miller, Philippe Halsman / Salvador Dalí (1954), 2014**

**Sandro Miller, Albert Watson / Alfred Hitchcock with Goose (1973), 2014**

**Sandro Miller, Victor Skrebneski / Bette Davis (1971), Los Angeles Studio, 2014**

**Sandro Miller, Andy Warhol / Self Portrait (Fright Wig) (1986), 2014**

**Sandro Miller, Diane Arbus / Identical Twins, Roselle, New Jersey (1967), 2014**

**Sandro Miller, Gordon Parks / American Gothic, Washington, D.C. (1942), 2014**

**Sandro Miller, Yousuf Karsh / Ernest Hemingway (1957), 2014**

**Sandro Miller, Irving Penn / Pablo Picasso, Cannes, France (1957), 2014**

**Sandro Miller, Arthur Sasse / Albert Einstein Sticking Out His Tongue (1951), 2014**

**Sandro Miller, Alberto Korda / Che Guevara (1960), 2014**

**Sandro Miller, Annie Leibovitz / John Lennon and Yoko Ono (1980), 2014**

**Sandro Miller, Bert Stern / Marilyn in Pink Roses (from The Last Session, 1962), 2014**

**Sandro Miller, David Bailey / Mick Jagger “Fur Hood” (1964), 2014**

**Sandro Miller, Edward Sheriff Curtis / Three Horses (1905), 2014**

**Sandro Miller, Herb Ritts / Jack Nicholson, London (1988) (A), 2014**

Wonderful Photos Showing Celebrities Wearing Sunglasses in the 1960s

Primitive sunglasses were worn by the Inuit all the way back in prehistoric times, but these were merely walrus ivory with slits in them — good for helping with snow blindness. The Roman emperor Nero watched gladiator fights through polished gems. In 12th century China they used smoky quartz for lenses, but the specs were used for concealing judges’ facial expressions during interrogations of suspects rather than style or sunlight protecting purposes. In the 1750s, London optician James Ayscough began experimenting with green lenses to help with certain vision problems. He believed that his glasses could correct certain vision impairments yet harmful UV-rays were not a concern at this time.

Glasses tinted with yellow-amber and brown were a commonly-prescribed item for people with syphilis in the 19th and early 20th century because one of the symptoms of the disease was extreme susceptibility to light.

It was only in the 20th century that sunglasses took on the modern form. In the late-1920s Sam Foster began selling the first mass-produced sunglasses using the brand name “Foster Grant”. He began slling these from a Woolworth on the beasches of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Polarized sunglasses became the next evolutionary step available in 1936, when Edwin H. Land began using his patented Polaroid filter when making sunglasses. By 1938, Life magazine wrote of how sunglasses were a “new fad for wear on city streets … a favorite affectation of thousands of women all over the U.S.”

During World War 2 Ray Ban revolutionized sunglasses by creating anti-glare aviator style sunglasses, using polarization. Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses became popular with the celebrities and the public in the post-war years and subsequent improvements over the decades has allowed safety to be married with design and fashion.

Take a look at the wonderful photos of women wearing sunglasses during the 1960s.

Interesting Portrait Photos of Diana Ross Taken in 1970

Diana Ross (born Diana Ernestine Earle Ross, March 26, 1944) is an American entertainer and actress. She rose to fame as the lead singer of the vocal group the Supremes, who became Motown’s most successful act during the 1960s and one of the world’s best-selling girl groups of all time. They remain the best-charting female group in history, with a total of twelve number-one hit singles on the US Billboard Hot 100, including “Where Did Our Love Go”, “Baby Love”, “Come See About Me”, and “Love Child”.

Following departure from the Supremes in 1970, Ross embarked on a successful solo career in music, film, television and on stage. Her eponymous debut solo album featured the U.S. number-one hit “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and music anthem “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)”. It was followed with her second solo album, Everything Is Everything, which spawned her first UK number-one single “I’m Still Waiting”. She continued her successful solo career by mounting elaborate record-setting world-wide concert tours, starring in a number of highly watched prime-time television specials, and releasing hit albums like Touch Me in the Morning (1973), Mahogany (1975), and Diana Ross (1976) as well as their number-one hit singles, “Touch Me in the Morning”, “Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)”, and “Love Hangover”, respectively. Ross further released numerous top-ten hits into the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. She achieved two more US number-one singles, “Upside Down” (1980) and “Endless Love” (1981), as well as UK number-one hit “Chain Reaction” (1986) and UK number-two hit “When You Tell Me That You Love Me” (1991).

Ross has also acted. Her first role was her Golden Globe Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated portrayal of Billie Holiday in the film Lady Sings the Blues (1972); she also recorded its soundtrack, which became a number one hit on the U.S. album chart. She also starred in two other feature films, Mahogany (1975) and The Wiz (1978), and later appeared in the television films Out of Darkness (1994), for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award, and Double Platinum (1999).

Ross was named the “Female Entertainer of the Century” by Billboard in 1976. Since her solo career began in 1970, Ross has released 25 studio albums, numerous singles, and compilations that have sold more than 100 million records worldwide. She is the only female artist to have had number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist, as the other half of a duet, as a member of a trio, and as an ensemble member. In 2021, Billboard ranked her the 30th greatest Hot 100 artist of all time. Her hits as a Supreme and a solo artist combined put Ross among the Top 5 artists on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart from 1955 to 2018. She had a top 10 UK hit in every one of the last five decades, and sang lead on a top 75 hit single at least once every year from 1964 to 1996 in the UK, a period of 33 consecutive years and a record for any performer. In 1988, Ross was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Supremes. The Guinness Book of World Records recognizes her as the greatest female artist in U.S. and U.K. chart history, with a career total of 70 hit singles. She was the recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in 2007, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. (Wikipedia)

Wonderful Photos of Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer on Their Wedding Day in 1954

Hepburn met American actor Mel Ferrer at a cocktail party hosted by mutual friend Gregory Peck. He had suggested that they star together in a play. The meeting would result with them working together in Ondine, during which they began a relationship. Eight months later, on 25 September 1954, they were married at a local 13th century Protestant church in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, while preparing to star together in the film War and Peace (1955).

Hepburn would suffer two miscarriages, one in March 1955, and another in 1959, after she fell from a horse while filming the movie The Unforgiven (1960). When she became pregnant for the third time, she took a year off work to prevent another miscarriage. Their son Sean Hepburn Ferrer was born on 17 July 1960. She would have two more miscarriages, one in 1965 and the other in 1967.

Despite the continuous rumors that their marriage would not last, Hepburn always maintained that she and Ferrer were happy, although she once admitted that he did have a bad temper. From the beginning of their marriage Ferrer was accused of being too controlling, and had often been referred as being her “Svengali” – an accusation that Hepburn heartily denied. William Holden was once heard saying, “I think Audrey allows Mel to think he influences her.” After 14-years of marriage, the couple would divorce in 1968.

Top 20 Classic Vintage Cars That Women Love

Women love classic vintage cars just as much as men. It may be true that vintage automobiles aren’t the greatest when it comes to fuel efficiency, but most of these models were picked combine aesthetics with performance.

Most of these cars are also small since women don’t have the same taste in the idea of ‘bigger, better’ as men do. Regardless of their reduced size, these models will make any lady look like a badass.

1946 Plymouth Deluxe Convertible.

Back to the distant past, now, with this luxury cars of the 40s. This one was a full-size automobile produced by Chrysler, that also came in various shapes and sizes: sedans, coupes, convertibles and station wagons. It’s certainly a sight for sore eyes, with its sleek, smooth lines and its exceptional overall design, but the main advantage to choosing the Deluxe Convertible is its outstanding interior space. It can fit 4 adults and guess what, they can feel exceptionally comfortable.

1954-1986 Jeep CJ5.

Although some people think of it as the laughing stock of all jeeps, the CJ-5 was, after all, manufactured for more than 30 years, so customers must have appreciated it for something. In fact, buyers can choose from a multitude of variants, out of which the highly acclaimed models are the following: the 1965 Tuxedo Park Mark IV, the 1969 462, the 1970 Renegade I, the 1973 Super Jeep and the 1980 Golden Hawk.

1954 Ferrari 250 Europa.

This notorious automobile was first introduced at the 1954 Paris Motor Show and it quickly became the favorite car of the 50s. The Europa is quite a powerful car for its size, featuring a horsepower of 217, which comes from its V12 engine.

1955 Porsche 356 Speedster.

This car is as classy as possible. Let’s not forget that women used to buy the model back in the days because it was James Dean’s favorite vehicle. In fact, the actor used to drive it when he was outside the studio. The model is a luxury car known for its 1300 and 1500 cc engines.

1956 Jaguar XK 140.

This one’s a looker. We can even imagine a lady driving down the street and the wind blowing through her hair. This Jaguar model isn’t even extraordinarily powerful, coming equipped with a 3.8-liter engine and a horsepower of 210. The car can reach a maximum speed of 125 mph, and a July 1957 test performed by Karl Ludvigsen, an editor for Sports Car World, accounted for the statement. Unfortunately, in 1961, Jaguar halted the production of the model, and therefore there’s only a limited number of them available in the world today.

1956 Lancia Aurelia B24S America Spider.

This is the second series of Lancia Aurelias. The model was introduced in late 1955 and was marketed as a convertible. It came with chrome bumpers and larger bonnet air-scoop. The model was a limited edition, as only 521 cars were produced, and all of them were equipped with 2,451 cc engines. It was also the owner of a 2.5-liter displacement and a horsepower of 110. A famous American character, John Jang, purchased a vehicle in 1956, drove it for 28,000 miles and later on abandoned it in its garage. In 2012, Jang’s family decided to check on the automobile and surprisingly enough, the electrical system still worked and all the carrosserie had perfectly survived all these years.

1958-1960 Ford Thunderbird.

In 1958, the Thunderbird was redesigned to fit 4 passengers. The modification increased the vehicle weight to 1,000 pounds. The car was one of the most powerful of the times, as it came equipped with a 5.8 liter V8 engine, responsible for producing 300 hp.

1958 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster.

The roadster was produced by the German car manufacturer between 1955 and 1963. The ‘58 model features a 4-cylinder engine, a 4-speed manual gearbox and an average fuel consumption of 18.8 mpg. Let’s not forget that back in the days, people weren’t particularly focused on fuel economy. Also, at the time the Roadster was launched, it was said that its interior lacked style and recalled a Spartan way of life, with one-piece leather-covered seats and aluminum doors. Luckily for the model, in 1958 people couldn’t choose from too many other alternatives when it came to interior design. This grand tourer was widely popular until 1963, when it was replaced by the 230SL model.

1959-1967 Mini Mark I.

This is also a rather small-sized vehicle, but since Minis are known for their reliability, women will surely find these models to be more than satisfactory. The greatest advantage to choosing a Mini Mark I is the 4-speed automatic transmission that was added to the model in 1965. Other than that, it’s simply a chic car for ladies who want to get noticed on the road.

1960-1964 Chevrolet Corvair.

This car is truly cosmopolitan, since Chevrolet made a big deal out of manufacturing it as diversely as possible. Ladies can choose from 2-door convertibles and coupes, 4-door sedans and station wagons, and if they’re eager to use as much space as possible, they can even opt for a 6-door or an 8-door van.

1964-1966 Ford Mustang

This is the first generation of Mustangs that Ford ever produced. It also comes with three alternatives: hardtop, sportsroof and convertible. Its engines vary from a small 2.8 liter Thriftpower I6 to a thrilling 4.7 liter Windsor HiPo V8.

1964-1970 Pontiac GTO.

The Pontiac remains one of the favorite automobiles of vintage cars collectors. The GTO is a classic muscle car and it comes in various shapes and sizes: depending on its fabrication year, it can feature a 6.4-liter or a 6.6-liter V8 engine. Buyers have three choices when it comes to the design of the car: convertible, hardtop and coupe.

1964 Aston Martin DB5.

ot only James Bond has the right to drive this car. The automobile became outrageously popular when it was featured as the famous spy’s vehicle, in the acclaimed Goldfinger motion picture. The DB5 is a grand tourer that comes as a coupe or as a convertible and offers buyers a wonderful driving experience, thanks to its 3,995 cc Inline-6 engine and its 282 bhp.

1966 Volvo 121 Amazon.

It was somewhat predictable to find a Volvo in this list of 20 vintage cars for women, as the Swedish brand is known worldwide for manufacturing super-safe vehicles. The Amazon came as a 2-door coupe, 4-door sedan or a 5-door station wagon. Engines ranged from a 1,583 cc to a 1,986 cc one. It’s no wonder that Volvo chose to name the model Amazon because it looks like it’s come out of an exotic movie.

1967-1969 Chevrolet Camaro.

This is the first generation of Camaros that Chevrolet produced. It’s more of a sports car than anything else. The Camaro is a noteworthy alternative for women who are keen on speed, as it comes with various engines (varying from a 4.9 liter to a 7.0 liter V8 one). The car received some negative publicity at the time it was released, in the virtue of Ralph Nader’s book, Unsafe at Any Speed.

1967 Morris Minor Convertible.

Morris Minor is a British brand of automobiles, which debuted with its first cars in the brinks of 1948. All the models were designed to be small, fuel-efficient vehicles, especially since they were launched following WWII. The 1967 convertible was a limited edition, having been produced in only 1,000 numbers. This one comes with a 948 cc engine. The only possible downfall of choosing this model is the fact that its manufacturers didn’t necessarily focus on safety features, and therefore the driving experience could get somewhat risky. Nowadays, drivers have the opportunity to equip their cars with almost any other supplementary features, making even very old models turn into fully loaded automobiles.

1967 Volkswagen Beetle.

This one is such a classic car for women that it almost doesn’t need any description. The charm of a small, smooth car appeals to ladies from all over the world. Another cute thing about its design is that its headlights feature ‘eyelids’. The 1967 Beetle features a 50 hp thanks to its 1.3-liter engine.

1969-1973 Triumph TR6.

Girls will love this British automobile because it’s a beautiful 6-cylinder sports car, which can go from 0 to 60 mph in only 8.2 seconds. Some say it can reach a maximum speed of 120 mph.

1969 Fiat 500.

Fiat has been through a lot of changes in the 60s. One of its innovations was an interesting beach car, which featured chairs made out of raffia. We’ve chosen a more classic model, though, since we know that in today’s reality, women opt for small cars that are also practical. Keep in mind it’s not the most powerful car in the world, but that’s mostly due to its size. It can reach 50 mph in a matter of more than one minute. It comes with a 499 cc, 2-cylinder engine, responsible for producing a rather decent 21.5 bhp. Its top speed isn’t impressive: 65 mph. However, it does offer a 45 mpg fuel economy, which is truly respectable for the end of the 1960s.

1970 MG Midget.

The Midget is yet another classic British brand of cars, which specialized in manufacturing sports and coupes. The 1970 model has a horsepower of 65 bhp, thanks to the addition of a 1,275cc A-series engine. It’s a cool car, which goes well with bright colors (such as red and light blue), and it’s certain that people won’t feel cramped when driving it on the road.

Wonderful Photos of WWII Soldiers With Their Brides

During the Second World War there was a sudden increase in the number of weddings. Unsure of what the future held and anxious to formalise their relationships – and perhaps in need of some hope and joy – men and women overcame the obstacles of bombs and rationing with ingenuity on their way to the altar.

In 1942 alone, 1.8 million weddings took place, up 83 percent from 10 years before. And two-thirds of those brides were marrying men newly enlisted in the military.In 1944, a church pastor in the United States even wrote, “Marriage Is a Serious Business,” a book for young couples in which he warned, “The hasty marriage, caused by glamour and excitement rather than by genuine affection, is one of the evil products of war.”

While wartime romance continued to win out, the pomp of the ceremony was rarely the point. Often small wedding cakes were baked with rationed ingredients, and brides were wearing modest, nontraditional dresses, some even made of silk from the parachutes that had saved their grooms in battle.

A good example is Theodora Roosevelt’s wedding to an artist. She was the granddaughter of former President Theodore Roosevelt, and a cousin of Eleanor Roosevelt. In June 1945, The New York Times reported that the couple had “dispensed with attendants” in a ceremony “witnessed only by immediate relatives.” The bride wore “a brown faille suit, and straw hat with brown veiling,” instead of a typical wedding gown.

During wartime, weddings often needed to be planned quickly, as grooms in the military had be ready to leave on a moments notice if they get called into duty. Weddings often happened in hometowns when the soldier was on leave, or in chapels on military bases when the bride-to-be visits the groom-to-be. Many brides, unable to be with their new husbands due to military orders, often moved back home with their parents to work. As men marched off to war, women were left to take care of homes and businesses and fill war-time jobs in industries to support war effort. This led to a new found independence and many concerns about women in the workforce straining marriages.

With the rise in fast weddings came a sharp spike in divorce rates after the war. The quick rise in divorce rates had many possible causes, the most obvious being a lack of foundation. Since men were marrying women they barely knew before going off to war, there was little time to build a relationship leading to infidelity on both accounts: men yielding to prostitution and women abandoning their husbands for lovers they met in their husbands’ absences. If they did manage to stay together until the end of the war, there was estrangement due to separation to deal with upon men returning. As well, women had been enjoying their independence in their husbands’ absences and some were unwilling to relinquish the freedom. The perception of divorce was also changing with the generations meaning had became more acceptable to separate from a spouse. For all of these reasons and more, those quick marriages before the war also ended with the war.

Yet for all the problems, roughly 75% of the marriages continued after the war. What had begun as a reaction to the war would create a generation of people who would go on to have a profound and lasting effect on the modern world.

We hope you will enjoy these photographs of wartime weddings during World War 2.