Life — October 10, 1918 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Liberty Loan Number This is a propaganda piece for the Liberty Loan campaign, a WWI-era U.S. government bond drive (note the date: October 10, 1918, near war's end). The central figure is Lady Liberty, the allegorical personification of American freedom, depicted as a strong, determined woman wearing a liberty cap and holding clenched fists. The caption "YES OR NO? Can you look her in the eye?" directly addresses readers as potential bond purchasers, using patriotic pressure—essentially asking if they can face Lady Liberty while refusing to support the war effort financially. The library stamp and "Liberty Loan Number" header confirm this magazine page served as promotional material urging Americans to purchase government war bonds.