World War II brought many changes to the world both during and after the war, and not all of the changes were bad. Did you know Americans got a new dime after the war? Before World War II, Lady Liberty reigned on the dime. Sometimes, just her head was shown. Other times, she could be seen sitting on a rock or brandishing wings on her head to symbolize freedom of thought. The last of these is called the Mercury dime. In 1946, however, the dime was chosen to honor the President who took the country through the Great Depression and most of World War II.
Franklin Roosevelt was President of the United States from March 4, 1933 to April 12, 1945, when he died of a cerebral hemorrhage. He died just 18 days before Hitler committed suicide and just 26 days before the celebration of Victory in Europe day. What better way to commemorate the man who led our country through so much? The new dime was released on January 30, 1946, which would have been Roosevelt’s 64th birthday.
“I have some unfortunate news to share with you ladies,” she began. “President Roosevelt has just died in Warm Springs, Georgia.”
Everyone was silent as they were called back to the reality of the world outside of music. Several girls began to cry, and Ava felt her own eyes swimming with tears. Their president and leader throughout the war had just died, and they each felt an ineffable sense of loss.
Songbird, Chapter 54