Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945)

The Great Depression and World War II were two tumultuous events in American history. While both events caused American confidence to wane, the United States emerged from both the Great Depression and World War II stronger and more confident than before.

During the Great Depression, millions of American workers lost their jobs. In Ohio, by 1933, more than forty percent of factory workers and sixty-seven percent of construction workers were unemployed. In 1932, Ohio's unemployment rate for all residents reached 37.3 percent. Industrial workers who retained their jobs usually faced reduced hours and wages. These people had a difficult time supporting their families. Many of Ohio's city residents moved to the countryside, where they hoped to grow enough food to feed their families.

World War II formally ended the Great Depression in the United States, as millions of unemployed men and women returned to work to produce items for the war effort. Ohioans played a critical role in helping the United States attain victory in World War II. Approximately 839,000 Ohioans, roughly twelve percent of the state's entire population in 1940, served in the armed forces during the conflict. Ohio civilians also actively participated in the war effort, joining in scrap drives and growing victory gardens. Thanks to the efforts of Ohioans and other Americans, the United States emerged from World War II triumphant.

To learn more about this important era in Ohio's history, please browse these entries at your leisure.

There are 311 entries matching this time period. They are listed below in alphabetical order.

1934 Ohio Statewide Heat Wave: The summer of 1934 ranks as the hottest in Ohio since temperature records began in 1883. . . .
African Americans: Numerous African Americans have resided in Ohio. Today, African-American Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Agricultural Adjustment Act: In 1933, the United States Congress approved and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed into law the Agricultural Adjustment Act. This legislation was part of Roosevelt's New Deal program. Its intent was to reduce the number of crops that farmers produced and the number of livestock sent to slaughter. . . .
Akron (Zeppelin): The Akron was a zeppelin manufactured by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation in Akron, Ohio. . . .
Akron Firestone Non-Skids: The Akron Firestone Non-Skids was a professional basketball team in Akron, Ohio. It was one of the founding teams in the National Basketball League, which formed in 1937. . . .
Akron Goodyear Wingfoots: The Akron Goodyear Wingfoots was a professional basketball team in Akron, Ohio. It was one of the founding teams of the National Basketball League, which formed in 1937. . . .
Akron Rubber Strike of 1936: In an attempt to alleviate their conditions, workers established a union named the United Rubber Workers in 1935. The following year, this union organized its first major strike within Akron's rubber industry. . . .
Albanian Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Albanian ancestors. Today, Albanian Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
All-American Soap Box Derby: The soap box derby had its origins during the 1930s. Children in Dayton, Ohio, manufactured their own cars. They would build these cars from discarded lumber and other items and then race the autos down hills in the community. . . .
America: Originally published in Cleveland, Ohio, America was a Romanian-American newspaper. . . .
Americke Delnicke Listy (American Labor News): Americke Delnicke Listy, translated as American Labor News, was a Czech-American newspaper published in Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
Ameripol: Ameripol made synthetic rubber production much more cost effective, helping Akron, Ohio, rubber companies, including B.F. Goodrich, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, and Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, to meet the country's needs during World War II (1941-1945). . . .
Annunciation Church School: Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the Annunciation Church School was founded in the mid 1920s to preserve the Greek language and customs among Greek immigrants. . . .
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church: The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church was the first Greek Orthodox Church founded in Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
Athens Asylum: The Ridges was formerly an asylum for the mentally ill in Athens, Ohio. . . .
Atomic Bomb: During World War II, scientists in Great Britain, Canada, and the United States worked to develop a bomb capable of ending the war swiftly. These scientists focused on nuclear fission as the means to create such a bomb. . . .
Austin, Elsie: Elsie Austin was an attorney and the first African American woman to receive a law degree from the University of Cincinnati. . . .
Balkan Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Balkan ancestors. . . .
Banking Holiday: In 1939, responding to events caused by the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt declared a "banking holiday," ordering all banks in the United States closed until government audits declared them solvent. . . .
Batesville, Ohio: Williamsburg, now known as Batesville, is a small community in Noble County, Ohio. . . .
Belle Center, Ohio: Belle Center, which has also been known as Belle Centre, is a small community in northern Logan County, Ohio. . . .
Belle Centre, Ohio: Belle Center, which has also been known as Belle Centre, is a small community in northern Logan County, Ohio. . . .
Bethany Station, Ohio: In 1942, in the midst of World War II, the United States government contracted with the Crosley Broadcasting Corporation to build a radio station capable of broadcasting its message around the world. . . .
Blue Cross & Blue Shield Mutual of Ohio: Blue Cross & Blue Shield Mutual of Ohio has its roots in the Cleveland Hospital Service Association. John R. Mannix founded this earlier organization in Cleveland in 1934 to help patients pay for the cost of hospital care. . . .
Breisch, Ernestine E.: Ernestine Elma (Breisch) Powell was born on February 16, 1906, in Moundsville, West Virginia. Soon after Breisch's birth, her family moved to Bloomsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1910, the Breisch family relocated to Martins Ferry, Ohio. . . .
Bricker, John W.: John William Bricker was Governor of Ohio from 1939 to 1945. . . .
Bromfield, Louis: Louis Bromfield was a successful author and strong advocate of scientific agriculture and soil conservation. . . .
Brothers of Christian Instruction: On June 16, 1819, Gabriel Deshayes and Jean Marie de la Mennais, two Catholic priests in France, established the Brothers of Christian Instruction. . . .
Bulkley, Robert J.: Robert Joearly Bulkley was a prominent Democratic politician in the early twentieth century. . . .
Burick , Si: Si Burick was a premier sportswriter and editor from Dayton, Ohio. . . .
Burke-Wadsworth Act: In September 1940, the United States Congress passed the Burke-Wadsworth Act. . . .
Burton, Harold H.: Harold Hitz Burton was born on June 22, 1888, in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. In 1909, he received his undergraduate degree from Bowdoin College, where he had quarterbacked the football team. He then pursued a doctorate in law from Harvard University, graduating in 1912. He began to practice law in Cleveland, Ohio, that same year. . . .
Byelorussian Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Byelorussian ancestors. Today, Byelorussian Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Camp Oty'Okwa: Since 1942, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Columbus, Ohio, has operated Camp Oty'Okwa. . . .
Camp Perry: Camp Perry was the primary training center for the Ohio National Guard for much of the twentieth century. . . .
Campana, Mary Ann: In 1933, Campana set a world's record for remaining airborne the longest in a light airplane. She remained airborne for almost twelve and a half continuous hours, demonstrating that women could be skilled pilots. . . .
Caniff, Milton: Milton Caniff was one of the best-known cartoonists in America for much of the twentieth century. . . .
Carpatho-Russian Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Carpatho-Russian ancestors. . . .
Carpatina Society: The Carpatina Society is the first Romanian mutual-benefit society in Cleveland, Ohio. It also is the first such society in the United States of America. . . .
Chinese Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Chinese ancestors. Today, Chinese Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Cincinnati Bengals: In 1967. Paul Brown, former coach of the Cleveland Browns, received authorization from the American Football League to create a team in Cincinnati. Brown chose the name Bengals to memorialize the teams of the same name that had represented Cincinnati in the past. . . .
Cincinnati Buckeyes: The Cincinnati Buckeyes was a professional African-American baseball team that played its home games in Cincinnati, Ohio. The team played in the Negro American League. . . .
Cincinnati Clowns: The Cincinnati Clowns was a professional African-American baseball team in Cincinnati, Ohio. The team played in the Negro American League. Established in 1942, the Cincinnati Clowns was originally known as the Cincinnati Buckeyes. . . .
Cincinnati Comellos: The Cincinnati Comellos was a professional basketball team in Cincinnati, Ohio. . . .
Cincinnati Liars: In 1942, in the midst of World War II, the United States government contracted with the Crosley Broadcasting Corporation to build a radio station capable of broadcasting its message around the world. . . .
Cincinnati Reds (National Football League): The Cincinnati Reds was a professional football team in Cincinnati, Ohio. . . .
Cincinnati Tigers: The Cincinnati Tigers was a professional African-American baseball team in Cincinnati, Ohio. William DeHart Hubbard founded the team in 1934. In 1937, the Cincinnati Tigers joined the Negro American League. . . .
Civil Works Administration: On November 9, 1933, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt announced the creation of the Civil Works Administration (CWA). The CWA was part of Roosevelt's New Deal. . . .
Civilian Conservation Corps: On March 31, 1933, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was part of Roosevelt's New Deal. Roosevelt hoped that his New Deal would allow Americans to cope with the Great Depression, would help end the current economic downturn, and would help prevent another depression from occurring in the future. . . .
Civilian Public Service Camps: When World War II erupted in Europe and Asia, the United States attempted to remain neutral in the conflict. As Germany and Japan expanded militarily, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt increasingly prepared the American people for war. . . .
Cleveland Allmen Transfers: The Cleveland Allmen Transfers was a professional basketball team in Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
Cleveland Bears: The Cleveland Bears was a professional African American baseball team. . . .
Cleveland Browns: In 1945, Arthur B. McBride and Robert H. Gries founded the Cleveland Browns, a professional football team. The team would become one of the most successful organizations to ever participate in professional sports. . . .
Cleveland Chase Brassmen: The Cleveland Chase Brassmen was a professional basketball team in Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
Cleveland Clinic Fire: A catastrophic fire at the Cleveland Clinic in 1929 impacted fire fighting practices and hospital procedures in Ohio and across the United States. . . .
Cleveland Cubs: The Cleveland Cubs was a professional African-American baseball team. . . .
Cleveland Giants: The Cleveland Giants was a professional African American baseball team. . . .
Cleveland Hospital Service Association: Blue Cross & Blue Shield Mutual of Ohio has its roots in the Cleveland Hospital Service Association. John R. Mannix founded this earlier organization in Cleveland in 1934 to help people pay for the cost of hospital care. . . .
Cleveland Indians (National Football League) (1931): On July 12, 1931, the Cleveland Indians joined the National Football League. This professional football team existed only for the 1931 season and played its home games in Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
Cleveland Rams: The Cleveland Rams was a professional football team in Cleveland, Ohio. For most of its history, the team played in the National Football League. . . .
Cleveland Red Sox: The Cleveland Red Sox was a professional African-American baseball team. . . .
Cleveland Stars: The Cleveland Tate Stars was a professional African-American baseball team. . . .
Cleveland White Horses: The Cleveland White Horses was a professional basketball team in Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
Cleveland, Ohio's Chinatown: Cleveland, Ohio's Chinatown is an ethnic neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio. Chinatown was established in the late nineteenth century. . . .
Colley, Russell: Russell Colley was a mechanical engineer and inventor who made major contributions to the American aircraft and aerospace industries. . . .
Columbus Athletic Supply: The Columbus Athletic Supply was a professional basketball team in Columbus, Ohio. . . .
Columbus Bluebirds: The Columbus Bluebirds was a professional African-American baseball team. . . .
Columbus Bullies: The Columbus Bullies was a professional football team in Columbus, Ohio from 1939 to 1941. . . .
Columbus Elite Giants: The Columbus Elite Giants was a professional African-American baseball team. . . .
Columbus Turfs: The Columbus Turfs was a professional African-American baseball team. . . .
Committee for Industrial Organization: Established in 1935, the Committee for Industrial Organization was an umbrella organization for other unions. . . .
Congress of Industrial Organizations: Established in 1935, the Congress of Industrial Organizations was an umbrella organization for other unions. . . .
Congress of Racial Equality (CORE): Founded in 1942, the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) promoted the use of nonviolent tactics to help African Americans secure equal rights with whites. . . .
Cooper, Martha K.: Martha Kinney Cooper was the principal founder of the Ohioana Library. . . .
Cooper, Myers Y.: Myers Young Cooper was the fifty-first governor of Ohio. . . .
Croatian Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Croatian ancestors. Today, Croatian Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Crosley Jr., Powel: Powel Crosley, Jr., was a prominent Cincinnati businessman during the twentieth century. . . .
Czech Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Czech ancestors. Today, Czech Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Danish Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Danish ancestors. Today, Danish Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Davey, Martin L.: Martin L. Davey was Ohio's governor from 1935 to 1939. . . .
Dawes Arboretum: In 1929, Beman Gates Dawes and Bertie Burr Dawes established the Dawes Arboretum near Newark, Ohio. T . . .
Dayton Metropolitans: The Dayton Metropolitans was a professional basketball team in Dayton, Ohio. . . .
Dayton Wings Baseball Team: The Dayton Wings was a minor league baseball club in Dayton, Ohio, beginning in the 1939 season. . . .
Dennice Noveveku (Star of the New Era): Dennice Noveveku, translated as Star of the New Era, was a Czech-American newspaper published in Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
Derby Downs: The Soap Box Derby had its origins during the 1930s. Children in Dayton, Ohio, manufactured their own cars. They would build these cars from discarded lumber and other items and then race the autos down hills in the community. . . .
Dexter City, Ohio: Dexter City is a small community in Noble County, Ohio. . . .
Dorr, Nell B.: Nell Becker Dorr was a prominent twentieth-century American photographer. . . .
Dunn Bill: Pat Dunn, a state representative from Stark County, introduced the Dunn Bill to the Ohio legislature in 1939. Also known as House Bill 26, the Dunn Bill would have prohibited the state government from employing married women. . . .
Dutch Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Dutch ancestors. . . .
East Ohio Gas Company Explosion: On October 20, 1944, a natural gas storage tank at the East Ohio Gas Co. plant in Cleveland, Ohio, exploded. The plant was located north of St. Clair Avenue near East 61st and East 62nd Streets. . . .
Edmonds, Helen G.: Helen Gray Edmonds was the first African-American woman to earn a doctoral degree from The Ohio State University. . . .
Edmont Manufacturing Company: In 1933, Edward Montgomery began experimenting with covering cotton gloves with vulcanized rubber. . . .
Eisenhower, Dwight D.: Dwight David Eisenhower was the thirty-fourth President of the United States. . . .
Embrey, Nora: Nora Embrey was the second woman sheriff in Ohio. . . .
Emergency Relief Appropriation Act: On April 8, 1935, the United States Congress passed the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act. . . .
Enola Gay: On August 6, 1945, the crew of the Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. . . .
Estonian Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Estonian ancestors. Today, Estonian Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Eugene: Eugene was an unusual tourist attraction in Sabina, Ohio from 1929 to 1963. . . .
Federal Emergency Relief Administration: On May 12, 1933, the United States Congress created the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA). . . .
Federal Housing Act: On June 28, 1934, the United States Congress passed the Federal Housing Act (FHA). . . .
Federated Department Stores: In 1929, several department stores combined to form Federated Department Stores. The new company's headquarters were located in Columbus, Ohio. . . .
Fenn College: Fenn College had its origins in 1870, when the Cleveland, Ohio, Young Men's Christian Association began to offer classes to local residents. The YMCA's offerings evolved into Fenn College in 1929. . . .
Fett, George L.: George Leonard Fett was a prominent cartoonist from Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
Finnish Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Finnish ancestors. . . .
Folded Paper Milk Carton: During the first decade of the 1900s, G. W. Maxwell developed the first paper milk carton. . . .
French Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from French ancestors. Today, French Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Fuji Society: Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the Fuji Society was a social organization of Japanese war brides. . . .
Future Outlook League: John O. Holly formed the Future Outlook League in 1935 to help African Americans find jobs in Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
G.I. Bill of Rights: On June 22, 1944, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Servicemen's Readjustment Act. This legislation is better known as the G.I. Bill of Rights. T . . .
Gable, Clark: Clark Gable was one of the great actors in the history of the motion picture in America. . . .
Gentile, Dominic S.: Ohioan Dominic (Don) Salvatore Gentile shot down more enemy planes in World War II than any other pilot from Ohio. . . .
George, Peter T.: Ohioan Peter T. George was an Olympic medalist in weightlifting during the 1940s and 1950s. . . .
George-Deen Vocational Law: In 1936, the United States government instituted the George-Deen Vocational Law. . . .
German and Italian World War II Prisoners of War: During World War II, the United States military housed both German and Italian prisoners of war in Ohio. . . .
German Central Farm: The German Central Farm is a recreational center for German Ohioans in Parma, Ohio. . . .
German Central Organization: The German Central Organization is an important German-American social organization in the northeastern portion of Ohio. . . .
German Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from German ancestors. Today, German Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Glenville, Ohio: Glenville, Ohio is a neighborhood area of Cleveland. It is located to the northeast of Cleveland. Historically, this neighborhood has been home to various ethnic groups. . . .
Great Depression: The Great Depression took place after the Stock Market Crash in October 1929. During the late 1920s, the stock market in the United States boomed. Many Americans began to purchase stock, and the value of stocks dramatically increased in value. . . .
Greek American Progressive Association School: Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the Greek American Progressive Association School was founded in the mid 1920s to preserve the Greek language and customs among Greek immigrants. . . .
Greek Catholic Union: The Greek Catholic Union is a national Carpatho-Russian fraternal organization. . . .
Greek Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Greek ancestors. Today, Greek Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Greek Town, Ohio: Greek Town was an ethnic neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio from the late nineteenth century to the mid twentieth century. . . .
Green, Perry L.: Perry L. Green was Ohio's third Director of Agriculture. The Director of Agriculture served as the head of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. . . .
Hall, Ernest C.: Ernest C. Hall was an important aviation figure during the 1910s, 1920s, and 1930s. . . .
Hemingray Glass Company: The Hemingray Glass Company was a glass company founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the mid-nineteenth century. . . .
Herbert, Thomas J.: Thomas J. Herbert served as Ohio's governor from 1947 to 1949. . . .
Hill, Katherine: Katherine Hill created the T. Marzetti Company's Original Slaw Dressing and remained a vital employee of the firm for nearly seventy years. . . .
Hip Sing Tong: The Hip Sing Tong is an association that primarily promotes Chinese business development in Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
Hoover, Herbert C.: Herbert Clark Hoover was President of the United States from 1929 to 1933. . . .
Hoovervilles: Ohio was home to a number of Hoovervilles. The more famous ones in Ohio were located at Circleville and Cleveland. . . .
Hopalong Cassidy: Hopalong Cassidy was a character in western novels written by Clarence Mulford during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. . . .
Horvath, Les: Les Horvath was a star football running-back and Heisman Trophy winner at The Ohio State University. . . .
Il Progresso Italiano in America: In 1903, Cleveland Italians established L'Italiano, the first Italian-language newspaper in Ohio. The paper eventually became known as Il Progresso Italiano in America and finally as La Voce Del Popolo Italiano in 1910. . . .
Indianapolis-Cincinnati Clowns: The Indianapolis-Cincinnati Clowns was a professional African-American baseball team that played its home games in both Cincinnati, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Indiana. . . .
J.M. Smucker Company: The J.M. Smucker Company produces a wide array of jams, jellies, and other food items. . . .
Japanese Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Japanese ancestors. Today, Japanese Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Jeeps: In 1908, John North Willys purchased a portion of the Standard Wheel Company in Toledo, Ohio. In 1912, Willys renamed the company Willys-Overland Motor Company. . . .
Jewish Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Jewish ancestors. Today, Jewish Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Jones, Frederick M.: On May 17, 1893, Frederick McKinley Jones was an African American inventor with a large number of U.S. patents. He was born on May 17, 1893 in Cincinnati, Ohio. . . .
K'ung, Hsiang-his: K'ung Hsiang-his, also known as H.H. Kung, was born in the Shanxi Province of China in 1881. As a teenager, he attended schools run by missionaries from Oberlin College in Taigu, China. . . .
Kindergartens: Although most American children go to kindergartens today, that was not always the case. In the nineteenth century, primary schools in the United States began with the first grade. Kindergartens did not become common until the twentieth century, although there were a small number of kindergartens in the United States in the nineteenth century. . . .
King, Ernest J.: Ernest Joseph King was born on November 23, 1878, in Lorain, Ohio. He attended local schools and, as a youth, dreamed of attending the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. King received his wish in 1897. . . .
L'Araldo: L'Araldo, translated as The Herald, was an Italian-American newspaper published in Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
La Gauloise: La Gauloise was a social organization for French immigrants in Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
La Voce Del Popolo Italiano: La Voce Del Popolo Italiano, translated as The Voice of the Italian People, was an Italian-American newspaper published in Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
Latvian Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Latvian ancestors. Today, Latvian Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
LeMay, Curtis "Bombs Away LeMay, Iron Ass": Curtis LeMay was a prominent and controversial United States Air Force commander during the mid-twentieth centurty. . . .
Lemko Association: The Lemko Association is a national Carpatho-Russian fraternal organization. . . .
Lemko Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Carpatho-Russian ancestors, including Lemko Ohioans. . . .
Lenski, Lois: Lois Lenski was an artist and one of the best-known American book illustrators of the twentieth century. . . .
Lewis Research Center: The NASA John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field was originally known as the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was established in 1941, and its purpose was to develop and improve aircraft engines. . . .
Lexington School: Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the Lexington School was founded in the mid 1920s to preserve the Greek language and customs among Greek immigrants. . . .
Little Steel Strike of 1937: The Little Steel Strike of 1937 pitted steelworkers, represented by the Congress of Industrial Organizations, against smaller steel manufacturing companies, such as the Republic Steel Company, the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company, collectively known as Little Steel. . . .
Loebell, Ernst: Ernst Loebell was an early researcher of rocketry and founder of the Cleveland Rocket Society. . . .
Macedonian Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Macedonian ancestors. Today, Macedonian Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Macon: The Macon was the second zeppelin manufactured by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation in Akron, Ohio. . . .
Madison, Ohio: Madison is a community in Lake County, Ohio. . . .
Magee, Elizabeth: In 1920, a sufficient number of states ratified the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. This amendment granted women the right to vote. This amendment marked a dramatic improvement for women and their rights, however, efforts to improve women's rights did not just center on the right to vote. . . .
Manhattan Project: The Manhattan Project was the code name given to the efforts of the United States, Great Britain and Canada to develop the first atomic bomb during World War II. . . .
Martinek, Joseph: A native of Czechoslovakia, Joseph Martinek was a prominent resident of Cleveland, Ohio during the early twentieth century. . . .
Marzetti, Teresa: Teresa Marzetti was the founder of the T. Marzetti Company in Columbus, Ohio. . . .
McClelland, Helen G.: Ohioan Helen Grace McClelland was one of only three women to receive the Distinguished Service Cross, the United States of America's second highest combat award. She also received the British Royal Red Cross for her actions during World War I. . . .
McCormick, Elizabeth A.: Elizabeth Anne O'Hare McCormick was a prominent twentieth century American journalist, author and public figure. . . .
Mentor: Mentor was a Greek newspaper published in Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
Mentor, Ohio: At the time of this writing, Mentor is the largest city in Lake County, Ohio. . . .
Middletown, Ohio (Perry County): Somerset, which was once known as Middletown, was formerly the county seat of Perry County, Ohio. . . .
Mills Brothers: The Mills Brothers was an African-American vocal group that formed during the 1920s. . . .
Montenegrin Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Montenegrin ancestors. . . .
Mort, Paul R.: Paul R. Mort was born in 1894 in Elsie, Michigan. He graduated from Indiana University in 1916, and he spent the next six years teaching in Indiana and in Arizona. In 1922, he enrolled in Columbia University to earn his Masters degree. . . .
Mount Sterling, Ohio: Mount Sterling is a community in Madison County, Ohio. . . .
Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District: After state legislators began to comprehend the devastation caused by the Flood of 1913, they passed the Vonderheide Act, also known as the Ohio Conservancy Law. This law made it possible for flood-prone regions to create plans for future flood control projects. In response to the Vonderheide Act, the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District was established in 1933. . . .
NASA John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field: The NASA John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field was originally known as the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was established in 1941, and its purpose was to develop and improve aircraft engines. . . .
National Air Races: The National Air Races was an important competition in the early history of aviation. . . .
National Bowling Association: The National Negro Bowling Association (NNBA), the predecessor of the National Bowling Association, formed on August 20, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan. . . .
National Industrial Recovery Act: On June 13, 1933, the United States Congress passed the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA). The NIRA was part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal. . . .
National Labor Relations Board: On July 15, 1935, the United States Congress passed the Wagner-Connery Act. U.S. Senator Robert F. Wagner of New York introduced the Wagner-Connery Act. This legislation legalized unions and created the National Labor Relations Board. . . .
National Negro Bowling Association: The National Negro Bowling Association (NNBA) formed on August 20, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan. . . .
National Youth Administration: On April 8, 1935, the United States Congress passed the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act. One important accomplishment of the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act was the creation of the National Youth Administration. . . .
Ness, Eliot: Eliot Ness was born on April 19, 1903, in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Chicago in 1927 with dual degrees in business and law. . . .
New Deal: The New Deal was a major component of President Franklin Roosevelt's plan to help the United States recover from the Great Depression. . . .
Northwest Ordinance Sesquicentennial: In 1937, the United States celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society proposed a national celebration of this important document. . . .
Norwegian Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Norwegian ancestors. Today, Norwegian Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
O'Neil-Pringle Minimum Wage Bill: In 1933, the Ohio legislature debated the merits of the O'Neil-Pringle Minimum Wage Bill. This bill, if passed, would allow a state official to establish minimum wages for both women and children employed in certain businesses. . . .
Ohio Naval Militia: The Ohio Naval Militia had its roots in the Ohio Militia, which was formed in 1803. . . .
Ohio Penitentiary Fire: On April 21, 1930, the Ohio Penitentiary experienced the worst disaster in its history. A terrible fire broke out in the early evening, eventually killing 322 inmates. . . .
Ohio Relief Commission: In 1932, the Ohio legislature created the State Relief Commission. This organization was also known as the Ohio Relief Commission. . . .
Ohio Retail Sales Tax Law of 1935: During the Great Depression, public schools in Ohio faced a financial crisis. Most schools received their funding through property taxes. Many Ohioans failed to pay their taxes because of the difficult economic times. . . .
Ohio River Flood of 1937: In 1937, southern Ohio faced one of the worst floods in its history. The flood was particularly difficult for the city of Cincinnati, where flood levels reached almost eighty feet. . . .
Ohio School of the Air: The Ohio School of the Air was an early effort to use radio in public education. . . .
Ohio State Highway Patrol: In 1933, the Ohio government created a statewide police force known as the Ohio State Highway Patrol. . . .
Ohio Unemployment Compensation Law: With the beginning of the Great Depression in October 1929, many Ohioans became unemployed as businesses attempted to avoid bankruptcy by either firing or laying off workers. By 1932, 37.3 percent of Ohio workers were unemployed. . . .
Ohio Unemployment Insurance Commission: On April 9, 1931, the Ohio legislature created the Ohio Unemployment Insurance Commission. The legislature charged the commission to "investigate the possibility of setting up unemployment reserves or insurance funds to provide against the risk of unemployment." . . .
Ohio's State Bird - The Cardinal: In 1933, the Ohio General Assembly made the cardinal Ohio's state bird. The cardinal's scientific name is Cardinalis Cardinalis. . . .
Ohio's State Poetry Day: In 1938, the State of Ohio set the third Friday of every October as Ohio Poetry Day. . . .
Ohioana Library: Martha Kinney Cooper, the wife of Ohio Governor Myers Y. Cooper, dedicated her time as Ohio First Lady to honoring Ohio artists, authors, and musical composers. She took the leading role in establishing the Martha Kinney Cooper Ohioana Library in 1929. . . .
On Leong Tong: The On Leong Tong, which is also known as the Chinese Merchants Association, is an association that primarily promotes Chinese business development. . . .
Over the Hill in October: Some Ohio soldiers drafted in October 1940 threatened to desert once the original twelve months of their service was up. Many of these men painted the letters "O," "H," "I," and "O" (OHIO) on the walls of their barracks. These letters were an acronym for "Over the hill in October," which meant that the men intended to desert upon the end of their twelve months of duty. . . .
Owens, Jesse: Jesse Owens was one of America's greatest participants in track and field athletic competition. He won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic games. . . .
Pearl Harbor: Pearl Harbor is a United States Naval Station located in Hawaii. For most of the twentieth century, it was home to the United States Navy's Pacific Fleet. . . .
Plain City, Ohio: Plain City, which was formerly known as Westminster and Pleasant Valley, is a community in northern Madison County, Ohio. . . .
Pleasant Valley (Madison County), Ohio: Plain City, which was formerly known as Westminster and Pleasant Valley, is a community in northern Madison County, Ohio. . . .
Plunkett, Roy J.: Roy J. Plunkett was born on June 26, 1910, in New Carlisle, Ohio. Plunkett received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Manchester College in 1932 and his doctoral degree in chemistry from The Ohio State University in 1936. . . .
Portsmouth Spartans: The Portsmouth Spartans was a professional football team that played in Portsmouth, Ohio. . . .
Powell, Dawn: Dawn Powell was a notable Twentieth Century American novelist and playwright. . . .
Public Works Administration: On June 13, 1933, the United States Congress passed the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA). The NIRA had three components to it. One portion of the NIRA created the Public Works Administration. . . .
Pyke, Bernice S.: In 1920, Bernice Secrest Pyke was the first woman appointed to serve as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. . . .
Rationing: During World War II, the United States government implemented a rationing program that limited the amount of specified scarce products that civilians were allowed to purchase. . . .
Ravenna Arsenal: During World War II, Ravenna, Ohio, was the site of the Ravenna Arsenal. Illustrating Ohio's important contributions to winning World War II, from 1942 to 1945 workers at the Ravenna Arsenal produced more weapons for the war effort than at any other plant in the United States. More than 14,000 Ohioans found employment here during World War II. . . .
Resettlement Administration: On April 30, 1935, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt established the Resettlement Administration. The Resettlement Administration was part of President Roosevelt's New Deal. . . .
Rice, Helen S.: Helen Steiner Rice was a twentieth century author, poet and editor. . . .
Richter Scale: In 1935, while working at the Seismological Laboratory, Charles Francis Richter, a former resident of Hamilton, Ohio, worked with Beno Gutenberg to develop a rating scale for earthquakes. . . .
Richter, Charles F.: Charles Francis Richter worked with Beno Gutenberg to develop a rating scale for earthquakes. . . .
Roadway Express: Akron-based Roadway Express is one of the largest commercial trucking firms in the United States. . . .
Rodina: Rodina, translated as The Family, was a Carpatho-Russian newspaper published in Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
Romanian Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Romanian ancestors. Today, Romanian Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Roosevelt, Franklin D.: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the nation's only four-term president, led the United States through two perilous crises, the Great Depression and World War II. . . .
Roosevelt, Theodore: Theodore Roosevelt was born on October 27, 1858, in New York City. In 1880, he graduated from Harvard University and immediately embarked upon a political career, winning election to the New York Assembly as a member of the Republican Party in 1881. . . .
Rosie the Riveter: During World War II, millions of American women assisted the war effort by working in various industries. Before the war's outbreak, twelve million American women found employment in factories. The number of women working in such positions during the conflict soared to nineteen million women. . . .
Rural Electrification Act: On May 11, 1935, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued Executive Order 7037. This order created the Rural Electrification Administration. . . .
Rusin Educational Society: The Rusin Elite Society was a Carpatho-Russian social organization in Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
Rusin Elite Society: The Rusin Elite Society was a Carpatho-Russian social organization in Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
Rusin Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Carpatho-Russian ancestors, including Rusin Ohioans. . . .
Russian Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Russian ancestors. Today, Russian Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Ruthenian Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Carpatho-Russian ancestors, including Ruthenian Ohioans. . . .
Sarahsville, Ohio: Sarahsville was formerly the county seat of Noble County, Ohio. . . .
Sauder Woodworking Company: In 1934, Erie Sauder established a furniture-making business, the Sauder Woodworking Company, in a barn behind his home. The company grew quickly, with Sauder relocating his company and its five workers to a new and expanded location in Archbold in 1935. . . .
Sauder, Erie J.: Erie J. Sauder was a prominent Ohio businessman and founder of the Sauder Woodworking Company, . . .
Sawyer, Charles W.: Charles W. Sawyer was a prominent politician from Ohio, during the mid-twentieth century, who held several important federal positions. . . .
Scandinavian Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Scandinavian ancestors. Scandinavians include people from Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. . . .
School Foundation Program Law: During the Great Depression, public schools in Ohio faced a financial crisis. Most schools received their funding through property taxes. Many Ohioans failed to pay their taxes because of the difficult economic times. . . .
Sciotoville, Ohio: Once its own community in Scioto County, Ohio, Sciotoville is now part of Portsmouth, Ohio. . . .
Scrap Drives: During World War II, the United States government encouraged the American people to participate in scrap drives. Citizens were asked to turn over to the government items that would prove to be useful in the war effort. . . .
Semon, Waldo: Waldo Semon was a prominent twentieth-century scientist and inventor. . . .
Serbian Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Serbian ancestors. Today, Serbian Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Servicemen's Readjustment Act: On June 22, 1944, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed into law the Servicemen's Readjustment Act. This legislation is better known as the G.I. Bill of Rights. The Servicemen's Readjustment Act provided government assistance to World War II veterans as they returned home upon the termination of their military service. . . .
Shuster, Joe: Joe Shuster was an American artist and one of the creators of the Superman comic book character. . . .
Siegel, Jerry: Jerry Siegel was an American author and one the creators of the Superman comic book character. . . .
Silver, Abba H.: Abba Hillel Silver was a prominent Jewish and Lithuanian-American resident of Cleveland, Ohio during the twentieth century. . . .
Slavic Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Slavic ancestors. Today, Slavic Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Slovak Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Slovak ancestors. Today, Slovak Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Slovene Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Slovene ancestors. Today, Slovene Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Slye, Leonard F.: Roy Rogers was a twentieth-century American singer and actor. . . .
Smetona, Antanas: Antanas Smetona was the last president of the Republic of Lithuania. Forced into exile in 1940, Smetona eventually settled in Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
Smither, Ethel L.: Ethel Lyle Smither was a well-known twentieth-century author of children's religious books. . . .
Smucker, Jerome M.: Jerome Monroe Smucker founded the J.M. Smucker Company, which produces a wide array of jams, jellies, and other food items. . . .
Social Security Act: Since the start of the twentieth century, numerous groups, including the Progressives, had lobbied the United States federal government to implement a national system of health insurance and pensions for the elderly and incapacitated. During the Great Depression, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt made the first concerted effort to enact such a program. . . .
Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act: During the 1930s, the Great Plains area of the United States was experiencing little rainfall and abnormally high temperatures. Most people residing in this area found employment as farmers. . . .
Somerset, Ohio: Somerset, which was once known as Middletown, was formerly the county seat of Perry County, Ohio. . . .
St. Mary's Romanian Orthodox Church: Located in Cleveland, Ohio, St. Mary's Romanian Orthodox Church was the first Romanian Orthodox church in the United States of America. . . .
State Liquor Control Act: In 1933, individual states within the United States ratified the Twenty-First Amendment to the United States Constitution. This amendment repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, which had legalized Prohibition. Also in 1933, Ohio voters repealed a Prohibition amendment in the Ohio constitution. . . .
State Relief Commission: In 1932, the Ohio legislature created the State Relief Commission. This organization was also known as the Ohio Relief Commission. This offices purpose was to assist Ohioans in coping with the Great Depression. . . .
Stibitz, George R.: George R. Stibitz is considered to be the father of the modern computer. . . .
Stock Market Crash of 1929: During the late 1920s, the stock market in the United States boomed. Millions of Americans began to purchase stock, causing the market to dramatically increase in value. Unfortunately for the economy, so many Americans invested money in the stock market that stocks became inflated in price. . . .
Summerfield, Ohio: Summerfield is a small community in Noble County, Ohio. . . .
Svet American (American World): Svet American, translated as American World, was a Czech-American newspaper published in Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
Svoboda, Frank J.: A native of Czechoslovakia, Frank J. Svoboda was a prominent resident of Cleveland, Ohio during the early twentieth century. . . .
Swedish Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Swedish ancestors. Today, Swedish Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Synthetic Rubber: During World War II, the United States experienced a rubber shortage. While the United States had access to naturally occurring rubber in Africa and Central and South America, most rubber imported to the United States came from Asia. . . .
T. Marzetti Company: Founded in Columbus, Ohio, the T. Marzetti Company produces specialty foods for restaurants and individuals. . . .
Taber, Lewis J.: Lewis John Taber was Ohio's first Director of Agriculture. The Director of Agriculture served as the head of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. . . .
Taft Jr., Robert: Robert Taft, Jr. was a prominent political who was elected to the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate during the mid-twentieth century. . . .
Taft, Robert A.: Robert Alphonso Taft was a prominent United States Senator from Ohio in the mid twentieth century. . . .
Teflon: Teflon is a DuPont trademark for a material used as a coating on cooking utensils and in industrial applications to prevent sticking. . . .
Television: In the 1950s, the new medium of television reached millions of Americans for the first time. Some television programs provided entertainment, while others presented current news. . . .
Temple-Tifereth Israel (Tifereth Israel): The Temple-Tifereth Israel, which is also known as Tifereth Israel, is Cleveland, Ohio's second oldest Jewish congregation. . . .
Terminal Tower: The Terminal Tower in Cleveland, completed in 1930, was originally known as Cleveland Union Terminal. Brothers Oris Paxton and Mantis James Van Sweringen developed the original concept for the building. . . .
The Ridges: The Ridges was formally an asylum for the mentally ill in Athens, Ohio. . . .
Thomas, Norman: Norman Thomas was an American social worker, minister, author and longtime presidential candidate of the Socialist Party of America. . . .
Thurber, James G.: Thurber was born in Columbus, Ohio, on December 8, 1894. As a child, Thurber suffered an injury that caused his eyesight to deteriorate and later caused him to become nearly blind. . . .
Tibbets Jr., Paul W.: Paul Warfield Tibbets, Jr., was born on February 23, 1915, in Quincy, Illinois. He spent much of his youth in Florida, where he had his first experience flying at twelve years of age. As a teenager, he attended the Western Military Academy and then enrolled in the University of Florida, followed by the University of Cincinnati, where he pursued a medical degree. . . .
Timken Company: The Timken Company is an important employer in Canton, Ohio. . . .
Timken Roller Bearing and Axle Company: The Timken Company is an important employer in Canton, Ohio. . . .
Timken Roller Bearing Company: The Timken Company is an important employer in Canton, Ohio. . . .
Toledo Crawfords: The Toledo Crawfords was a professional African American baseball team. . . .
Toledo Jim White Chevrolets: The Toledo Jim White Chevrolets was a professional basketball team in Toledo, Ohio. . . .
Toledo Tigers: The Toledo Tigers was a professional African American baseball team. . . .
Tremont, Ohio: Tremont, Ohio is a suburb of Cleveland. It is located to the west of downtown Cleveland. . . .
Twenty-First Amendment: During the late 1800s, support for Prohibition-the outlawing of alcohol's manufacture, transportation, and consumption-gained tremendous support within the United States, including in Ohio. One of the leading organizations that called for Prohibition was the Anti-Saloon League. . . .
Ukrainian National Aid Association of America: The Ukrainian National Aid Association of America was one of the first Ukrainian mutual-benefit societies in Ohio. . . .
Ukrainian National Association: The Ukrainian National Association was one of the first Ukrainian mutual-benefit societies in Ohio. . . .
Uniform Traffic Code: On June 5, 1941, the Ohio government approved the state’s first uniform traffic code. This legislation established a standard speed limit of fifty miles per hour outside of all municipalities. . . .
Union & League of Romanian Societies: Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the Union & League of Romanian Societies is the largest Romanian mutual-benefit society in the United States of America and Canada. . . .
United Rubber Workers: In 1935, the rubber workers organized a union, which they named the United Rubber Workers (URW). . . .
United States Shoe Corporation: The United States Shoe Corporation was formed in 1931, with the merger of two shoe manufacturers in Cincinnati, Ohio. . . .
United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio: The United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio is a group that helps coordinate the activities of all Ukrainian societies in Cleveland, Ohio and surrounding communities. . . .
Voice of America: In 1942, in the midst of World War II, the United States government contracted with the Crosley Broadcasting Corporation to build a radio station capable of broadcasting its message around the world. . . .
Voice of China: The Voice of China was a pro-China newsletter published in Cleveland, Ohio, during the late 1930s. . . .
Volwiler, Ernest H.: Ernest H. Volwiler invented Pentothal, an anesthetic used in surgery. . . .
Wagner-Connery Act: On June 13, 1933, the United States Congress passed the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA). The NIRA was part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal. . . .
Walker, William O.: Dr. William O. Walker was a prominent journalist, publisher and political leader in Cleveland, Ohio for much of the mid to late twentieth century. . . .
Wayne National Forest: In 1934, the United States government established the Wayne National Forest in southern and southeastern Ohio. . . .
Weisenborn, Clara E.: Clara Weisenborn was a prominent politician in Ohio from the 1950s to the 1970s. . . .
West Jefferson, Ohio: West Jefferson, formerly known as Jefferson, is a community in Madison County, Ohio. . . .
West Liberty, Ohio: West Liberty is a small community in Logan County, Ohio. . . .
West Side Irish-American Club: The West Side Irish-American Club is an organization of Irish Americans who live on the west side of Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
Westminster, Ohio: Plain City, which was formerly known as Westminster and Pleasant Valley, is a community in northern Madison County, Ohio. . . .
White, George: George White was a prominent twentieth-century political leader who served as Ohio's Governor from 1931 to 1935. . . .
William Pierson Bowling Alley: William Pierson opened of the first African-American owned and operated bowling alley in the United States in 1940.The bowling alley was located in Cleveland, Ohio. . . .
Williamsburg, Ohio (Noble County): Williamsburg, now known as Batesville, is a small community in Noble County, Ohio. . . .
Willis, William K.: William (Bill) Karnet Willis was the first African American to play in the All-America Football Conference. . . .
Willkie, Wendell L.: Wendell Lewis Willkie was a nationally prominent member of the Democratic Party during the Great Depression Era who practiced law in Akron, Ohio. . . .
Willoughby, Ohio: Willoughby is a community in Lake County, Ohio. During its history, the town has also been called Charlton, Chagrin, and Chagrin Mills. . . .
Woodland School: Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the Woodland School was founded in the mid 1920s to preserve the Greek language and customs among Greek immigrants. . . .
Works Progress Administration: On April 8, 1935, the United States Congress passed the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act. The Emergency Relief Appropriation Act was part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal. . . .
World War II: World War II formally began in September 1939, with Germany's invasion of Poland, although military aggression had taken place between various countries of the world for several years before that date. . . .
Young, Rodger W.: Ohioan, Rodger Wilton Young posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. . . .
Youngstown Bears: The Youngstown Bears was a professional basketball team in Youngstown, Ohio. . . .
Yugoslavian Ohioans: Numerous Ohioans are descended from Yugoslavian ancestors. Today, Yugoslav Ohioans continue to enhance Ohio's cultural and social landscape. . . .
Zanesfield, Ohio: Zanesfield is a small community in Logan County, Ohio. . . .
Zarja Singing Society: The Zarja Singing Society is the oldest Slovenian singing group located outside of Europe. . . .