To celebrate the opening of the US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center, The National WWII Museum partnered with National History Day to bring 51 middle and high school students to New Orleans to represent all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As part of this honor, each student selected a way their state influenced or was influenced by World War II. The students chose a variety of ways their state contributed to the American war effort. From farmers in California to railroad employees in Illinois and community members at the North Platte Canteen in Nebraska, Americans everywhere contributed.
With their topics chosen, the students contacted museums, archives and libraries to find images that represent their states. They wrote captions and put together an essay that explains the significance of the images. You will find their work listed by state throughout these pages.