Infamy

While much of the world - and, certainly, the United States - was plunged into chaos the morning of December 7, 1941 with the 'sudden and deliberate attack by the Empire of Japan' on US Naval Base Pearl Harbor, life, somehow, continued on. In St. Petersburg, children went to school, trains ran, trash was collected. People still went to work and still came home and still ate their supper by radio, did homework and wash, and fell to sleep. Yes, the world was chaotic (and would be for some years), but here is what was happening in St. Petersburg, safe, isolated perhaps, from the hells of war:

On the morning of December 8, the Evening Independent announced "Aroused U.S. Prepares for Total War." Photographs of both Roosevelt and Hirohito made the front page above the fold. Stocks slipped but did not plunge; the price of wheat and sugar immediately grew higher. Around St Pete, the high temperature was 72, the low, 62. At the La Plaza Theatre at Central and 5th, children could be expected to pay 9 cents to see Edward G. Robinson and Eddie Albert in Unholy Partners.

In the comic strip "Mary Worth's Family," a sexy blond Veronica Lake-like bombshell named Angel smokes a cigarette and wears slacks! The morning after war was declared, you could have had a "special de luxe club breakfast' at Webb's City for 8 cents. Mr and Mrs. C.A. Corson of Detroit were spending a week residing at 550 Seventh Avenue S (which is now a parking garage).

A large advertisement in the Independent for U.S. Defense Bonds and Stamps implores the reader to "Be Thankful - Be Merry - Be Happy - Because you live in America."