"Navy Day Oct. 27th" Vintage WWII Poster, 1939

Presented is a vintage WWII poster celebrating "Navy Day". The poster was issued in 1939 and features a large, waving American flag set against a blue background. "Navy Day Oct. 27th" is printed below the flag in large white letters. A blue border of thirteen white stars sit at top and bottom of the poster.

Hitler's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 drove Great Britain and France to declare war on Germany on September 3, marking the beginning of World War II. As such, the "Navy Day" of 1939, celebrated less than two months later, was a particularly patriotic event. This poster was printed by the Navy as a means of driving recruitment efforts, sailor enlistment, and raising financial support for the war effort. 

The first “Navy Day “ was celebrated on October 27, 1922. October 27, 1922 was suggested by the Navy League to recognize Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday. Roosevelt had been an Assistant Secretary of the Navy and supported a strong Navy, as well as the idea of Navy Day. In addition, October 27, 1922 was the anniversary of a 1775 report issued by a special committee of the Continental Congress favoring the purchase of merchant ships as the foundation of an American Navy.

CONDITION:

Very good condition. Original color lithograph. Color is vibrant. Margins are full. Printed "NRB-26028-5-6-39-20M" at bottom center margin. Slight toning and very light surface smudges in the outer margins. Poster is sold unframed. 

Unframed Dimensions: 28" H x 22" W.