On April 6, 1917, the United States declared war on Germany. The first American infantry soldiers landed in France on June 26, 1917, to begin training for combat. American men either drafted or enlisted to fight in Europe for the duration of the war. On the Homefront, people contributed to the war effort by purchasing war bonds and stamps. Homemakers were encouraged to voluntarily adopt “Meatless Mondays” or “Wheatless Wednesdays”, plant victory gardens and create care packages for the troops. Care packages contained items like soap, cigarettes, socks, safety pins and other small items.
This photograph of Miss Ward, South Dakota State College Home Economics Department, was taken by Joseph G. Hutton, professor of Agronomy at South Dakota State College. She is preparing candy for the Soldiers (December 1917).