Ground zero night operations

Rex Stout chairman of the Writers’ War Board and representative of
Freedom House,

On August 9, 1942, writer Rex Stout (above) conducted the first of 62 wartime
radio broadcasts of Our Secret Weapon, produced by Freedom House and airing
on CBS. The series was created to counter shortwave radio propaganda broadcasts
during World War ll. The first first ten 15-minute programs were sponsored solely
by Freedom House, and in the eleventh week Philco became a co-sponsor. The
final broadcast was on October 8, 1943.

Series creator Sue Taylor White of Freedom House said, "Secret Weapon was
designed to whip up and excite the nation to a greater war effort — in industry
in buying war bonds, in every avenue toward victory,"

      Francis Scott Key (August 1, 1779 – January 11, 1843)

Francis Scott Key was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet
who wrote the lyrics to the United States’ national anthem, "The Star-
Spangled Banner". From 1818 until his death, Key was associated
with the American Bible Society.

Artists depiction of Francis Scott Key with Fort McHenry in
the background during the Battle of Baltimore on the night 
of September 13–14, 1814
 

Singer Jerry Vale was born Gennaro Luigi Vitaliano in The Bronx, New York. His
version of “The Star-Spangled Banner”, recorded in the late 1960’s, is a fixture
at many sporting events for years. Jerry and Rita, his wife of over 40 years,
reside in Palm Desert, California.

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The 4-cent, 48- star U.S. flag stamp issued July 4,1957

The 49-star flag 4 –cent stamp

A 50-star flag 4-cent stamp