After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Americans united behind the war. Buying war bonds helped Americans feel that they were helping to fight the war.

Each bond cost $18.75 and could be redeemed for $25.00 after 10 years. Between November 29, 1942, and December 8, 1945, there were eight bond drives, each of which exceeded its goal. Total bond sales in the U.S. raised just over 190 billion dollars during the war, equal to half the cost of the war.

Even children could buy war stamps, which cost only 10¢-25¢ each. Children collected the stamps in a booklet until they had $18.75, then traded it for a war bond. War bonds were advertised as both a good way to help fight the war and a good way to save.