Department of State Commemorates Veterans Day with Online World War II Exhibit

Tallahassee –

To commemorate Veterans Day, the Florida Department of State’s Florida Memory has announced a new online exhibit entitled, Florida in World War II. The new online exhibit at FloridaMemory.com explores the important and transformative impact of World War II on Florida as a state. Florida deployed approximately 248,000 soldiers during World War II and more than 300,000 civilians volunteered in defense activities.

The online exhibit is a continuation of the Department of State’s Victory Florida campaign which has recognized important World War II anniversaries throughout 2015 and the critical role Florida played to help secure freedom around the world.

Through historical photographs and documents from the collections of the State Archives of Florida, Florida in World War II focuses on Floridians' contributions to the war effort both at home and on the front lines. One section of the online exhibit explores the state's critical role as a training center for U.S. troops, as well as examples of notable Floridians who served during the war. Another section details the many ways in which citizens on Florida's homefront supported the troops abroad. Everyday men and women of all races and all ages helped by purchasing war bonds, collecting vitally needed scrap metal and rubber, conserving food, and taking jobs to keep the state's industries moving forward.

(Photo Credit: Florida Memory) Soldiers training for amphibious warfare at Camp Gordon Johnston near Carrabelle (circa 1943).

(Photo Credit: Florida Memory) USO Club for African-American servicemen in Pensacola (circa 1942).

The public is encouraged to join Florida Memory on social media using the hashtag: #VictoryFL

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About Victory Florida

2015 marks the 70 year anniversary of the end of World War II in 1945. The Florida Department of State is drawing attention to this important anniversary with the campaign “Victory Florida,” which honors and celebrates the heroes and heroines of World War II while educating Floridians about the important role Florida played in training for the battlefield and on the home front during the war. 

About Florida Memory

Florida Memory provides free online access to significant photographs, films, sound recordings and original documents from the collections of the State Library and Archives of Florida. With over seven million visitors per month worldwide, Florida Memory chooses materials for digitization that illuminate significant events and individuals in the state's history and help educate Floridians and millions of people around the world about Florida history and culture. Florida Memory is funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Florida Department of State's Division of Library and Information Services. For more information, visit floridamemory.com.

About the Division of Library and Information Services

The Florida Department of State’s Division of Library and Information Services is the designated information resource provider for the Florida Legislature and all state agencies. The Division coordinates and helps fund activities of public libraries; provides a framework for statewide library initiatives; provides archival and records management services; and preserves, collects and makes available the published and unpublished documentary history of the state. Working in partnership with citizens, state employees, librarians, archivists and records managers, the Division seeks to ensure access to materials and information that benefit all of the people of Florida. For more information, visit info.florida.gov.