Today in History: The “Bonus Army”
Today in History–July 28–the Library of Congress features the “Bonus Army” or “Bonus Expeditionary Forces (B.E.F.)”, some 15-20,000 World War I veterans who camped out in the nation’s capital to request early payment of cash bonuses not payable to them until 1945. On July 28, 1932 the protestors were met by Major George S. Patton and federal troops—cavalry, machine-gunners, and infantry—under the direction of General Douglas MacArthur on President Herbert Hoover’s orders. Riots broke out but the veterans eventually left. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then check out the resources below.
The Bonus Army March American Treasures of the Library of Congress
Patton and the Bonus March of 1932 America’s Library
Bonus Army 1932 historical newspaper coverage
Bonus Expeditionary Forces image set
March of the Bonus Army Radio Diaries Audio History Project
The Bonus Army: An American Epic video of expert talk
Teaching resources
- Guided Primary Source Analysis: Bonus Veterans
- Photography as a Window into Historic Protests Teaching with the Library of Congress October 15, 2020
- “Occupying” the Bonus Army Protests of 1932 Teaching with the Library of Congress December 19, 2011
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