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Did you know that Miami – particularly the City of Miami Beach – played a vital role in supporting the U.S. Army Air Forces during the Second World War? From 1942 through 1945, the vibrant tourist destination underwent a dramatic transformation as it became home to a significant military training operation.

The Army Air Forces Technical Training Command took over more than 300 hotels and apartment buildings, converting them into barracks and training facilities for nearly half a million servicemen. This massive influx of military personnel marked a shift from the area's usual tourist activities to a focus on military readiness, with the city government leasing approximately $2 million worth of municipal properties to the war department.

The presence of soldiers significantly impacted local culture as community members rallied to support the troops. Residents created spaces like the Servicemen's Pier, where soldiers could relax, socialize and enjoy time away from their rigorous training.

The transformation of Miami Beach from a leisure destination to a military training ground not only contributed to the American war effort but also left a lasting legacy on the community, marking an important chapter in the history of both the city and the nation.

Courtesy of the Miami-Dade Military Museum and Memorial

Courtesy of the Miami-Dade Military Museum and Memorial

Rosie the Riveter
Who was Rosie the Riveter? She was a cultural icon representing millions of women who took jobs left open by men fighting overseas during World War II.

Women's Land Army
Who were the Women’s Land Army? They were British women from all walks of life who provided critical labor to the agricultural industry, helping to alleviate a food and farm labor shortage during World War II.

Dorothea Lange
Who was Dorothea Lange? She was a photographer and photojournalist who captured Americans during the Great Depression and World War II.

Books for Kids
Books for Teens
Books for Adults

Saturday, April 12, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Pinecrest Branch Library

Honor Flight South Florida is a volunteer-run organization committed to honoring tri-county area veterans by flying them to Washington D.C. to visit their memorials. Prioritizing our eldest veterans, we race against time to provide this experience in the final chapters of their lives. Join us in person or via Zoom.

Thursday, April 24, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Miami Beach Regional Library

As Allied troops liberated countries in Europe, people at home and abroad celebrated with parades and music! Join us for a performance of patriotic music by the U.S. Navy Band Southeast Brass Quintet to mark 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe and the 250th anniversary of the Navy and Marine Corps. 

Online Event: What Soldiers Read During World War II - World War II at 80
Sat, Apr 05, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Miami Beach Regional - Miami Beach Virtual Programs Room
In recognition of National Library Week, join us for a presentation about the books and mobile libraries that provided solace and distraction to soldiers in World War II. See materials from the period and learn about their creation. Students can ask about earning community service hours for attending and participating in the event. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. For more information, please contact 305-535-4219 or capleyb@mdpls.org. Ages 14 yrs.+
World War II Wednesday - World War II at 80
Wed, Apr 09, 11:00am - 12:30pm
West Flagler Branch
Join us for informative presentations about WW II and related topics, followed by guided discussions around the importance of remembering history in our lifetime. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is required. For more information, please contact the branch at 305-442-8710 or muniasm@mdpls.org. Ages 19 yrs.+
Blimp Versus Submarine: World War II at 80 - Sponsored by the Miami Pioneers and Natives of Dade
Sat, Apr 12, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Pinecrest Branch - Meeting Room
Join Anthony Atwood, Executive Director of the Miami Military Museum and Memorial, as he discusses aspects of South Florida's involvement and history during World War II, such as when Miami was the training ground for many enlisted soldiers and officers in the 1940s. Available in person and on Zoom. Registration is required. A Zoom link will be emailed to registrants within 24 hours of the program. For more information, contact 305-668-4571 or booke@mdpls.org. Ages 16 yrs.+
WW2 at 80 : Honoring Those Who Served Through Honor Flight - How You Can Participate in an Honor Flight
Sat, Apr 12, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Pinecrest Branch - Meeting Room,Pinecrest Virtual Programs Room
Honor Flight South Florida is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to honoring all veterans in the tri-county area. In the final chapters of their lives, it is a race against time to fly veterans to Washington D.C. to visit and reflect at memorials built in their honor. Top priority is given to our most senior defenders of freedom. The program will be in person & on Zoom. Registration required for Zoom invitation. For more information, contact 305-668-4571 or booke@mdpls.org. Ages 19 yrs.+
Visages of Memory: Reception with Laszlo Selly - Miami Beach Culture Crawl - World War II at 80
Thu, Apr 17, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Miami Beach Regional
Join us for a conversation with photographer and Holocaust survivor Laszlo Selly. Hear as he captured the faces of fellow survivors who witnessed the atrocities of the Third Reich. Learn about his life and work, and the collective responsibility to remember the past. This exhibition is made possible with the support of the University of Miami, Miami Beach JCC, and the Holocaust Memorial. For more information, contact the branch at (305) 535-4219 or capleyb@mdpls.org. Ages 18 yrs.+
Concert of Patriotic Music by the U.S. Navy Band Southeast Brass Quintet - World War II at 80
Thu, Apr 24, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Miami Beach Regional
As Allied troops liberated countries in Europe, people at home and abroad celebrated with parades and music! Join us for a performance of patriotic music by the U.S. Navy Band Southeast Brass Quintet to mark 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe and the 250th anniversary of the Navy and Marine Corps. For more information, contact 305-535-4219 or capleyb@mdpls.org. All ages.  
Anchors Aweigh (TV-G) - Saturday Wartime Movie Matinee - World War II at 80
Sat, Apr 26, 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Miami Beach Regional - Auditorium
Grab some popcorn and watch a 1945 musical about two sailors, one innocent and inexperienced and the other dashing and cavalier, who travel to Hollywood looking for fun and love. After the screening, learn how during the war, movies had more than a single show- they included informative newsreels and short patriotic films (141 minutes.) For more information, please contact the branch at 305-535-4219 or capleyb@mdpls.org. Ages 10 yrs.+
Wartime Food Tasting - World War II at 80
Wed, May 07, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Miami Lakes Branch - Multipurpose Room
Take your taste buds on a trip through time as you sample foods and learn about the eating habits of infantry soldiers and civilians during World War II. Registration is required. For more information, please contact the branch at 305-822-6520 or truglioj@mdpls.org. Ages 12-18 yrs.
V-E Day in Newsreels - World War II at 80
Thu, May 08, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
West Flagler Branch - West Flagler Children's Room
Commemorate V-E (Victory over Europe) Day and the 80th anniversary of when the war ended by watching newsreels and amateur films of celebrations that took place in the United States and Europe. See how people learned about the end combat in Europe and felt one step closer to the end of the Second World War. For more information, please contact the branch at 305-442-8710 or muniasm@mdpls.org. Ages 13 yrs.+ 
V-E Day in Newsreels - World War II at 80
Thu, May 08, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Northeast Dade-Aventura Branch - Auditorium
Commemorate V-E (Victory over Europe) Day and the 80th anniversary of when the war ended by watching newsreels and amateur films of celebrations that took place in the United States and Europe. See how people learned about the end combat in Europe and felt one step closer to the end of the Second World War. For more information, please contact the branch at 305-931-5512 or lefrakp@mdpls.org. Ages 13 yrs.+
V for Victory! - World War II at 80
Thu, May 08, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Miami Beach Regional
Did you know that today's "peace sign" was created as the "V for Victory" gesture of defiance during World War II? Learn about the symbol that became an act of resistance and a sign of the hope for victory that has endured long after the Second World War. Participants will receive a wartime-inspired "V for Victory" pin at the end of the program. While supplies last. For more information, please contact the branch at 305-535-4219 or capleyb@mdpls.org. Ages 13 yrs.+
V-E Day in Newsreels - World War II at 80
Thu, May 08, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Miami Beach Regional
Commemorate V-E (Victory over Europe) Day and 80 years since the war ended in Europe by watching newsreels and amateur films of celebrations that took place in the United States and Europe. See how people learned about the end of fighting in Europe and being one step closer to the end of the Second World War. For more information, please contact the branch at 305-535-4219 or capleyb@mdpls.org. Ages 13 yrs.+
World War II Wednesday - World War II at 80
Wed, May 14, 11:00am - 12:30pm
West Flagler Branch
Join us for informative presentations about WW II and related topics, followed by guided discussions around the importance of remembering history in our lifetime. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is required. For more information, please contact the branch at 305-442-8710 or muniasm@mdpls.org. Ages 19 yrs.+
Online Event: Introduction to Japanese American Incarceration - World War II at 80
Sat, May 17, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Miami Beach Regional - Miami Beach Virtual Programs Room
Join us virtually for a talk on Japanese American incarceration during the World War II, when nearly all Japanese Americans were forced to leave their homes and property and live in camps. The talk will be given by Dr. Stephanie Hinnershitz, Assistant Professor of Security and Military Studies at the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base. Registration is required. For more information, please contact the branch at 305-535-4219 or capleyb@mdpls.org. Ages 14 yrs.+
Germany Year Zero - AV Club - World War II at 80
Sat, May 24, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Miami Beach Regional - Auditorium
Join us for a 16mm film screening of Roberto Rossellini's 1948 work that is a look at war-torn devastation of Berlin. The concluding chapter of Rossellini's War Trilogy is a testament to the consequences of fascism. (78 minutes.) Join Special Collections archivist Katharine Labuda and librarian Miriam Kashem to watch the film as we mark the anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. For more information, please contact the branch at (305) 535-4219 or capleyb@mdpls.org. Ages 16 yrs.+
The Clock (NR) - Saturday Wartime Movie Matinee - World War II at 80
Sat, May 31, 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Miami Beach Regional - Auditorium
Grab some popcorn and watch a 1945 matinee film about a soldier on a 48-hour pass who meets a young lady in New York City's Pennsylvania Station and has a whirlwind romance. After the screening, learn how during the war, movies had more than a single show- they included informative newsreels and short patriotic films (90 minutes.) For more information, please contact the branch at 305-535-4219 or capleyb@mdpls.org. Ages 10 yrs.+
God Is My Co-Pilot (TV-PG) - Saturday Wartime Movie Matinee - World War II at 80
Sat, Jun 28, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Miami Beach Regional - Auditorium
During the war, movies had more than a single show- they included informative newsreels and short patriotic films. Grab some popcorn and watch a 1945 biopic of American Col. Robert L. Scott and his heroic World War II exploits in the Pacific with the Flying Tigers. 90 minutes. For more information, please contact the branch at 305-535-4219 or capleyb@mdpls.org. Ages 10 yrs.+
See all events

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National Parks Service

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National World War II Museum

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The New York Times

Explore a fascinating and extensive collection of archived World War II-era news articles available through The New York Times, spanning from the beginning of the war in 1939 through its conclusion in 1945.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

The Holocaust Memorial Museum offers an extensive collection of online tools and resources for learning about the Holocaust, featuring over 850 articles, videos, podcasts and more.