By the time the original G.I. Bill ended in July 1956, it had aided nearly eight million World War II veterans—including 332,178 women—in obtaining vocational training or a college education. Marine Corps veteran Michelina Maple reminded others of the deadline in 1951.
Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress
Reminder to veterans, January 1951
The G.I. Bill of Rights
After its unanimous approval by the House and Senate, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the G.I. Bill of Rights into law on June 22, 1944. The act provided returning soldiers with 52 weeks of unemployment insurance; money for post-secondary education and job training; and government-backed, low-interest mortgages and loans in order to ease their transition into civilian life. By 1951 nearly 8 million veterans had received educational and training benefits, and 2.4 million had received loans for homes, farms, and businesses. Subsequent bills passed in 1952, 1966, 1985, and 2008, which extended benefits to millions of veterans of subsequent military engagements.
This measure has for its purpose extending full justice and educational opportunities to the veterans of this war who have defended the Republic with their life and blood.
Representative Karl M. Le Compte of Iowa, Speech to the U.S. House of Representatives, May 12, 1944
By the time the original G.I. Bill ended in July 1956, it had aided nearly eight million World War II veterans—including 332,178 women—in obtaining vocational training or a college education. Marine Corps veteran Michelina Maple reminded others of the deadline in 1951.
Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress
