Happy 75th anniversary yesterday, the G.I. Bill (the original one, from 1944).

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Hat tip, Michael Beschloss:

FDR signed GI Bill of Rights 75 years ago today:

Link to tweet

G.I. Bill

This article is about the post–World War II legislation. For the modern bill, see Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.



President Roosevelt signs the G.I. Bill into law on June 22, 1944

The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, also known as the G.I. Bill, was a law that provided a range of benefits for returning World War II veterans (commonly referred to as G.I.s). It was passed by the 78th United States Congress and signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 22, 1944. The original G.I. Bill expired in 1956, but the term "G.I. Bill" is still used to refer to programs created to assist U.S. military veterans.

[MaryMagdaline]

1. A godsend to our family. Thank you, Democrats!

[Bradshaw3]

2. The ripple effect of it was enormous

The upward social and economic movement that occured after WWII was in large part a reflection of this government program, and a testament to how government projects can positively affect our lives. One effect was the space prgoram as many lower and middle class NASA scientists and engineers from the early days got their education thanks to the GI Bill, showing that having a democratic approach to higher education enables needed contributions from a wide range of people - that's a good thing for science and other enterprises, as well as those people and society.