During World War I, the United States began selling war bonds called Liberty bonds or Liberty loans to support the allied cause. Subscribing to the bonds became a symbol of patriotic duty in the U. S. and introduced the idea of financial securities to many citizens for the first time. The Act of Congress which authorized the Liberty Bonds is still used today as the authority under which all U. S. Treasury bonds are issued.
The Liberty Bell-shaped advertisement pictured here was created to encourage support of the Third Liberty Loan Act, which was enacted on April 5, 1918. It appears to have been intended to hang on the doorknob of a residential home and was likely delivered by a local Boy or Girl Scout, who were the primary sellers of liberty bonds.
ID Number: 2018.3.3.37
Date: 1918
Physical Description: 1 circular ; 8 x 11.5 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. Metadata updated as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
