The first cherry blossom trees planted in Washington, DC. were a
gift from Japan. 

The cherry trees in full bloom and the Washington Monument

Smokey’s debut poster (above) is considered his anniversary date. Overseen
by the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention Campaign, the first campaign poster
was illustrated by Albert Staehle.

Also in 1944, Forest Service worker Rudy Wendelin became the full-time artist
for the campaign. He was considered to be Smokey Bear’s "caretaker" until he
retired in 1973.

Rudolph "Rudy" Andreas Michael Wendelin (1910–2000)

Time to break for lunch

The above photos are from the Oregon State University Archives, showing
berry pickers on "victory farms" in 1946.