Acrylic on canvas triptych celebrating the life of Ruth Nomura Tanbara. Tanbara was a central figure in the Twin Cities’ Japanese-American community for more than four decades, serving as St. Paul’s YWCA adult education director and international program director from 1942-1972 and helping to found the St. Paul-Nagasaki Sister City Committee. During World War II, Tanbara helped more than 100 Japanese American evacuees of West coast internment camps find homes in the Twin Cities. The commemorative artwork was made by HIRO in 2005.

For details, view the triptych in our online collections database.

The crew of the B-29 bomber “Lady Marge” pose next to their aircraft during a visit to Minnesota. The crew flew documents finalizing the surrender of Japan at the end of World War II to Washington D.C. on September 1, 1945. During the flight they averaged 285 miles per hour, setting a world record for a flight from Honolulu to Washington. Captured by a Minneapolis newspaper photographer in October of 1945.

For details, view the photograph in our online collections database.

Pedestrians in downtown Minneapolis gather at a newsstand to read about the Allies’ invasion of Normandy in the Minneapolis Morning Tribune.  Captured by a Minneapolis newspaper photographer on June 6, 1944.

For details, view the photograph in our online collections database.

Fighter pilot Richard Ira Bong, posing on an airstrip next to his P-38 Lightning in Minnesota during a publicity tour.  Taken by a Minneapolis newspaper photographer on June 12, 1944.  Bong died in 1945 when the fuel pump of the plane he was flying malfunctioned.

For details, view the photograph in our online collections database.

A line of tanks rolls down Nicollet Avenue in downtown Minneapolis as part of a parade. Captured on October 13, 1943 by a Minneapolis newspaper photographer.

For details, view the photograph in our online collections database.

Major General Norman Kirk, Surgeon General of the Army (second from left), inspects an artificial limb at a Minneapolis factory during World War II.  Captured by a Minneapolis newspaper photographer on December 6, 1943.

For details, view the photograph in our online collections database.

Three men examine a car tire made from wood pulp.  During World War II, the rationing of rubber led American tire manufacturers to turn to alternative raw materials.  Captured by a Minneapolis newspaper photographer on September 5, 1943.

For details, view the photograph in our online collections database.

Two women operate a machine in a factory during World War II.  Captured by a Minneapolis newspaper photographer on March 3, 1943.

For details, view the photograph in our online collections database.

In what was probably a staged photograph opportunity designed to build support for a bond drive, a horse approaches two post office workers at a service window as if to purchase defense bonds.  Captured by a Minneapolis newspaper photographer on April 3, 1942.

For details, view the photograph in our online collections database.

Two sailors and two soldiers walk down Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis with a female companion.  Captured by an unknown Minneapolis Star Tribune photographer on July 8, 1942.

For details, view the image in our online collections database.