During World Wars I and II, many branches of the federal government used posters to urge Americans to support the war effort. In a time without TV or the internet, posters were an inexpensive way to deliver powerful messages to millions of people. The government hired well-known artists to create designs that unified the American people, and new posters are still in production. These posters serve as significant historical artifacts that document the efforts to mobilize and inspire the American public during the World Wars.
Due to the mandatory transfer of records from federal agencies, the National Archives acquired a significant collection of famous posters that were created by the federal government.
The National Archives preserves more than 50,000 posters in its Still Picture holdings.
