1943

Watching the parade

Standing in witness in wartime America

by Alex Q. Arbuckle(opens in a new tab)

Image: Library of Congress

In July 1943, a few months before embarking on a four-week trip documenting bus travel in America, newly-minted Office of War Information photographer Esther Bubley was assigned to cover a parade in Washington, D.C.

The procession was one of many publicity efforts to drum up volunteers for civil defense programs.

Bubley snapped a few obligatory shots of the marchers, but found herself more interested in the spectators who lined the parade route.

Taking advantage of their distraction, Bubley crept in close and captured delicate portraits of faces among the crowd.

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

Image: Library of Congress

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