File:Bonds banners across 2nd Ave, Seattle, October 1, 1918 (MOHAI 10467).jpg

During World War I, the United States began selling war bonds called Liberty bonds or Liberty loans to support the allied cause. Subscribing to the bonds became a symbol of patriotic duty in the U. S. and introduced the idea of financial securities to many citizens for the first time. The Act of Congress which authorized the Liberty Bonds is still used today as the authority under which all U. S. Treasury bonds are issued. This image of Second Avenue in downtown Seattle highlights the banners hung shortly after the Fourth Liberty Loan was issued on September 28, 1918, which offered $6.9 billion in bonds at 4.25 percent. On Saturday, October 5th, 1918, Seattle celebrated Bond Day by holding a parade down Second Avenue honoring the mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters of the servicemen participating in WWI.

Signs in image: Piper & Taft, Sporting Goods; Fraser Patterson, Bon Marche; O'Neil Transfer; Hotel Savoy; King Bldg; Moose Temple; The Strand Caption information source: The Seattle Daily Times, October 1, 1918, p. 1 Caption information also derived from captions written by Post-Intelligencer staff and attached to the back of the photograph.

• Subjects (LCTGM): Automobiles--American--Washington (State)--Seattle; Banners; Commercial streets--Washington (State)--Seattle; War bonds & funds--United States; World War, 1914-1918