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N0KFQ > TODAY 22.06.15 16:02l 61 Lines 2827 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: Today in History - Jun 22
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Sent: 150622/1354Z 59306@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA BPQ1.4.63
1944
FDR signs G.I. Bill
On this day in 1944, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs
the G.I. Bill, an unprecedented act of legislation designed to
compensate returning members of the armed services-known as
G.I.s-for their efforts in World War II.
As the last of its sweeping New Deal reforms, Roosevelt's
administration created the G.I. Bill-officially the Servicemen's
Readjustment Act of 1944-hoping to avoid a relapse into the Great
Depression after the war ended. FDR particularly wanted to
prevent a repeat of the Bonus March of 1932, when 20,000
unemployed veterans and their families flocked in protest to
Washington. The American Legion, a veteran's organization,
successfully fought for many of the provisions included in the
bill, which gave returning servicemen access to unemployment
compensation, low-interest home and business loans, and-most
importantly-funding for education.
By giving veterans money for tuition, living expenses, books,
supplies and equipment, the G.I. Bill effectively transformed
higher education in America. Before the war, college had been an
option for only 10-15 percent of young Americans, and university
campuses had become known as a haven for the most privileged
classes. By 1947, in contrast, vets made up half of the nation's
college enrollment; three years later, nearly 500,000 Americans
graduated from college, compared with 160,000 in 1939.
As educational institutions opened their doors to this diverse
new group of students, overcrowded classrooms and residences
prompted widespread improvement and expansion of university
facilities and teaching staffs. An array of new vocational
courses were developed across the country, including advanced
training in education, agriculture, commerce, mining and
fishing-skills that had previously been taught only informally.
The G.I. Bill became one of the major forces that drove an
economic expansion in America that lasted 30 years after World
War II. Only 20 percent of the money set aside for unemployment
compensation under the bill was given out, as most veterans found
jobs or pursued higher education. Low interest home loans enabled
millions of American families to move out of urban centers and
buy or build homes outside the city, changing the face of the
suburbs. Over 50 years, the impact of the G.I. Bill was enormous,
with 20 million veterans and dependents using the education
benefits and 14 million home loans guaranteed, for a total
federal investment of $67 billion. Among the millions of
Americans who have taken advantage of the bill are former
Presidents George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford, former Vice
President Al Gore and entertainers Johnny Cash, Ed McMahon, Paul
Newman and Clint Eastwood.
73, K.O. n0kfq
N0KFQ @ N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
E-mail: kohiggs@gmail.com
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