Leisure and Travel

• Helped maintain national morale
• Millions went to movies + remained enthusiastic sports fans
• Sport spectators fell during the war but still followed via radio
• Black Americans loved sporting events were Joe Louis fought -

  • 1938, Louis defeated German Max Schmeling, 12 million Black Americans listened to the fight on the radio
• Sports had significantly lower audiences due to -

  • Poor quality players
  • Enlistment conscription
  • Travel restrictions
  • Long working hours in factories
• All-American girls professional baseball (1943-52) had audiences averaging 2000-3000
• Roosevelt said ' It would be best for the country to keep baseball going'