Thelma and Lowell's Diary: June 21, 1943

He sends her a telegram; FDR sends troops to keep order in Detroit

Obviously missing Thelma, Lowell wrote that he “went downtown a little while but just messed around,” then reported for a 12-hour work shift at 6:20. He paid 94 cents to send a telegram. I bet we can guess who received it.

Telegrams are almost unheard of today, but a frequent means of communication when a phone call was expensive or a letter by mail too slow or uncertain. This sweet greeting from a soldier to his wife is being offered on eBay.

Racial unrest and violence raised its head again in Detroit this week, with so many killed and injured that President Roosevelt “put the whole area under a limited form of military control,” according to the website FDR Day-by-Day. To read on, you’ll need to be a paid subscriber. Upgrade by clicking here.