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During World War II, metro Detroit and the region encompassing our MotorCities National Heritage Area converted from the production of automobiles to the materials of war. Dubbed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as America's "Arsenal of Democracy," this region played a key role in helping the Allies win the war.

Beginning in 2020, in the midst of the national emergency caused by the spreading of COVID-19, many companies in Michigan once again responded to the needs of the country and converted to production of ventilators, masks, hand sanitizer and other products necessary to win this new fight. Many dubbed this new fight the "Arsenal of Health."

The production line at Willow Run Yankee Air Museum RESIZED 3The bomber production line at Willow Run (Photo courtesy of the Yankee Air Museum)

To bring some perspective to our history and its relevance today, here are some resources from our MotorCities partners to help you learn more about our proud history as the Arsenal of Democracy.

Detroit Historical Society

Detroit: The Arsenal of Democracy Exhibit at the Detroit Historical Museum

Encyclopedia of Detroit -- Arsenal of Democracy

Encyclopedia of Detroit -- Willow Run

Interactive Arsenal of Democracy Map

The Henry Ford

The Willow Run Bomber Plant

Historic Fort Wayne

10 Key Events from Historic Fort Wayne's History

Michigan Military Technical and Historical Society

Arsenal of Democracy Videos

Yankee Air Museum

Current Exhibits at the Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run

Ford making medical masks RESIZEDA Ford worker with a medical mask (Ford Motor Company) 

And now, here are some articles about how our auto industry fought the war against COVID-19:

President Trump to Visit Ford Rawsonville Plant
Eastern Echo - May 20, 2020

How GM and Ford Switched from Building Vehicles to Making Medical Supplies
CBS News "60 Minutes" - April 26, 2020

Mary Barra GM CBS News 60 Minutes April 2020General Motors CEO Mary Barra

From Vehicles to Ventilators, Ford & GM Take On Coronavirus
CBS News "60 Minutes Overtime" - April 26, 2020

Ford Motor Company Making Face Shields with Help from Sinai Grace ER Doc
Fox 2 Detroit - April 22, 2020

The Big 3 Versus COVID-19 
DBusiness - April 21, 2020

Ford Making Masks to Protect Workers from COVID-19 
Reuters - April 13, 2020

What Fiat Chrysler Is Doing in Coronavirus Fight 
Detroit Free Press - April 11, 2020

GM Gets $490 Million Government Deal to Build Ventilators 
Detroit Free Press - April 8, 2020

Big 3 Automakers Could Enlist to Produce COVID-19 Medical Equipment 
Michigan Advance - March 20, 2020