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America First rally, October 3, 1941

By OSP

Fort Wayne Reader

2016-02-09

Back in the late 30s and very early 40s, the America First movement opposed the United States’ involvement in what was then known as the war in Europe. By the time of this rally in Fort Wayne, the US was already supplying Britain with aid, including war material, and popular support towards further American involvement was growing across the country. But America First was still a hugely popular and powerful movement, its adherents passionate about avoiding getting caught up in what they termed another foreign war.

As the caption says, this is an America First rally that took place in Fort Wayne on October 3, 1941. The guy behind the podium is the infamous Mayor Harry Baals. And the guy sitting on stage, to your right, looking up towards the Mayor? None other than Charles Lindbergh. Lindbergh was probably America First’s most well-known supporter, and a strident spokesperson for the cause.

Of course, just a little over two months from this event, the US would get involved…