World War, 1914-1918; Germany; Germany -- Politics and government -- 20th century; Military uniforms; Helmets; Prussia (Germany) -- History
Nothing stands out more in the history of military uniforms than the spiked helmet, or pickelhaube, which literally means "pimple hat." The pickelhaube was originally part of Prussian military headgear. The Prussian King, Friedrich...
World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945 -- Germany; Germany; Germany -- Politics and government -- 20th century; National socialism; Military uniforms; Germany. Luftwaffe; Germany. Luftwaffe -- Uniforms
After World War I and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was only allowed a small military force. In 1933, the National Socialist German Workers Party came to power and the infamous Third Reich was born. Two years later, the Treaty...
Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969; Presidents -- United States; Campaign paraphernalia; Political collectibles; Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1944
The tradition of campaign souvenirs began in the 1840 presidential campaign. More than 100 years later, Dwight D. Eisenhower, nicknamed Ike, used these buttons to easily win the United States 42nd Presidential election in 1952 against Adlai...
World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945 -- Germany; Germany; Germany -- Politics and government -- 20th century; National socialism; Military uniforms; Medals, badges, decorations, etc.
In 1933, the National Socialist German Workers Party came to power and the infamous Third Reich was born. Two years later in 1935, the Treaty of Versailles, which Germany signed after World War I, was renounced and the rise of Adolph Hitler’s...
World War, 1914-1918; ; World War, 1914-1918--Equipment and supplies; Military supplies; Military paraphernalia
“Dog Tags” had their beginnings during the Civil War, sometimes only as slips of paper with the soldier’s name written on them. By World War I, the stamped metal tag was worn around the neck. Soldiers relied on the shaving kit and soap box to...
Military uniforms; Uniforms; United States. Navy; United States. Navy--Uniforms; 1950s
This 1950s Navy uniform includes a hat, shirt, jeans and belt. It was for everyday wear instead of formal events requiring a dress uniform. The United States Navy first allowed seamen to wear denim trousers in 1901. From white sailor suits to...
World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945 -- Germany; Germany; Germany -- Politics and government -- 20th century; National socialism; Handkerchiefs
In 1933, the National Socialist German Workers Party came to power and the infamous Third Reich was born. Two years later in 1935, the Treaty of Versailles, which Germany signed after World War I, was renounced and the rise of Adolph Hitler’s...
Toys; Dolls; United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865; Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
Dressed as a general of the United Sates Army, this doll celebrates the life of the 18th United States President Ulysses S. Grant. During the Civil War, Grant gained national attention as the general-in-chief of all Union armies. His clever...
Military uniforms; Uniforms; 19th century; United States. Army
Celebrate the United States! A young, dancing Uncle Sam entertained audiences about 1900 in this costume. The figure Uncle Sam would gain greater recognition as a symbol of the United States during World War I and World War II.
Military uniforms; Uniforms; United States. Army. Women's Army Corps; 1960s; Women soldiers; World War, 1939-1945 -- Participation, Female
During the 1960s, some women looked to the army for job opportunities and careers. The Women’s Army Corps (WAC) began after the United States entered World War II in 1942. Most women worked in administration, communication and health care fields...
Brooches; World War, 1914-1918; World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945 -- Women; World War, 1914-1918 -- Women
After the United States joined World War I, women with children serving in the military abroad relied upon each other for support and friendship. Late in 1917, these women formally formed the American War Mothers organization. Mothers throughout...
Military uniforms; Uniforms World War 1914-1918; World War, 1914-1918 -- Women; United States. Navy -- Women -- History
During World War I, about 11,275 women served in the Naval Reserve. Female Yeoman, often called Yeomanettes, joined approximately 1500 women serving in the Navy Nurse Corps when the war ended in 1918. Yeomanettes served mostly as secretaries and...
United States. Navy -- Women; World War 1939-1945; Military uniforms
WAVES were "Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service." During World War II, President Roosevelt created this special division of the Navy shore jobs so that more men would be available for combat. Unlike earlier conflicts when women...
United States. Air Force.; United States. Air Force--Uniforms; Military uniforms; Uniforms; Helmets; 1950s
The G-Suit helps keep a pilot safe by protecting the body from extreme gravity forces, or g-forces, when flying at high speeds. This 1950s suit uses technology first developed by Wilbur R. Franks and his team at the University of Toronto in 1941....
This particular uniform is a bogu, or armor, for Kendo, a form of Japanese fencing. Kendo, literally translated to "the way of the sword," is a modern resemblance to the fighting of the samurai warriors. From the 8th century, Kenjutsu,...
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865; United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Indiana; Grand Army of the Republic; Indiana; Souvenirs (Keepsakes); Richmond (Ind.); Evansville (Ind.); Military decorations; Decorations of Honor
Also known as the War Between the States, the Civil War divided friends and relatives against each other. At the end of the war, soldiers returned home but missed the friendship of fellow soldiers. Many soldiers joined the Grand Army of the...
Be a millionaire! Monopoly was invented on a table cloth in Atlantic City, NJ during the Great Depression. When the first games were sold by Parker Brothers in 1935 onwards, many Americans were enduring financial hardships. Foreclosures, bankruptcy...
This staff is used by the drum major, a leader in the marching band, to communicate with other band members. When the drum major marches with the band, he or she may use a staff like this one to specify the tempo – how fast or slow the band is to...
Toys; Mechanical toys; Motorcycles; World War, 1939-1945; Germany; Germany -- Politics and government -- 1918-1933; Nazis; Hitler-Jugend; 1930s; World War, 1939-1945 -- Children; National socialism
German citizens, frustrated by ineffective government and the Great Depression, struggled during the 1930s with high unemployment and poverty. In a climate of unrest, German toy manufacturers responded by making military toys that reflected...
Greece -- Civilization -- To 146 B.C.; Coinage; Diocletian
Caius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus, an average Roman man who had a successful military career, became emperor of Rome after the assassination of Carinus. Diocletian introduced many reforms that prolonged the life of the Roman Empire, which was on...
