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A Snapshot History Fearing a second world war, the United States began to build up its armed forces in the late 1930s, which helped to revitalize the Depression-becalmed economy of greater Seattle. Following the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, the region's aircraft and ship builders shifted into high gear. Every sector of business and domestic life was affected by the war effort. The society underwent dramatic change as women took the place of men on …

…of the long and bloody conflict. Within a week of V-J Day, hundreds of men began quitting their jobs to pursue suspended civilian careers, and many women defense workers -- celebrated collectively as "Rosie the Riveter" -- laid down their tools and picked up aprons and frying pans (not always happily). Dreams of returning to "normalcy" would prove elusive. The war had changed the region's economy, population, and social structure in profound and permanent ways.