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 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: 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
10 Key Events from Historic Fort Wayne's History
Current Exhibits at the Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run
A Ford worker with a medical mask (Ford Motor Company) 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
General 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
I-96 Eastbound ramp to I-75 Southbound in Detroit
Drivers around the Michigan are likely to notice something new along the highways -- those familiar brown National Park Service signs with a message welcoming them to the MotorCities National Heritage Area! The first nine signs were installed in November and December 2019 and are the culmination of many years of work with the Michigan Department of Transportation. An additional five signs were added in the Spring of 2020 to bring the total to 14!
Westbound I-96 before US 127 near Lansing
You can find the signs at the following locations:
Eastbound I-96 near the I-69 interchange
Watch our most recent sessions:
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month w/Cindy Estrada of the UAW
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Watch the October 2022 session here.
Building the Auto Industry: The History of Organized Labor
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Watch the September 2021 session here.
Greg Aarssen
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