Memorial Day 2004

This will be a very special Memorial Day, a nationwide hurrah for those who served in World War II and a history lesson for everyone else.

May 29th: Dedication of the National World War II Memorial Tickets have all been given out, but the memorial will be open to public viewing after the 29th. Where is is located? At the east end of the Reflecting Pool. You can already search the WW II registry and enroll individuals.

May 27th to 30th, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m: The Smithsonian is holding a National WW II Reunion on the Mall for everyone: music, dance, big bands, children's activities, history pavilions. Go dance along to Stardust with the Artie Shaw orchestra. Listen to the Ink Spots.

May 31st: Parade down Independence Avenue

There will also be a summer-long celebration in DC which will last until September 7.

Interesting statistics about the U.S. armed forces in WW II from the Census Bureau. Did you know that 16.1 million served? 73% of those overseas? 11.6% were still working in 2000?

And in your library? We will be closed on the 31st, but on other days you may want to look at our extensive collection of WW II books. A sample:

1. 940.542 ATKINSO An army at dawn by Rick Atkinson.
2. 940.5426 Love, war and the 96th engineers (Colored) by Hyman Samualson.
3. 940.54 The lost ships of Guadalcanal by James Ballard.
4. 940.54 M936 And no birds sang by Farley Mowat.
5. and for fiction: FIC B728 Easter Day, 1941 by G. F.Borden.

And are you familiar with Takoma Park's own Memorial Park, just across the road from the library? If you know something about its history, please contact the library staff at 301.891.7259

From the National Archives: Powers of Persuasion: Poster Art of WW II