Written by Teresa Knudsen. Published on Suite 101July 31, 2010 .
Republished January 11, 2012 on Sweet Suite Writings
Peace Signs, Vietnam War Protests, and Dwight Eisenhower
With wars raging in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other countries, the peace sign has resurfaced. Yet the sign has moved from protest signs into almost every element of modern life. Shoppers will see the sign on everything from clothing to jewelry and key chains.
"Called a broken cross by religious leaders and a Communist symbol in by the conservative John Birch Society, its real origin lies in nuclear protest," wrote Noto.
According to 'The Origin of the Peace Sign,' an excerpt from A history of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) (CND) logo, the sign was designed in 1958 by conscientious objector Gerald Holtrom. He explained that the symbol design evolved from semaphore letters for N and D, to stand for Nuclear Disarmament.
"I was in despair. Deep despair. I drew myself: the representative of an individual in despair, with hands palm outstretched outwards and downwards in the manner of Goya's peasant before the firing squad. I formalised the drawing into a line and put a circle round it," said Holtrom.
However, in the years 2009 to 2010, the peace sign appears in mainstream society, especially on clothing and items for children, tweens, teens, and young adults. Clothing stores are filled with shirts and pants with peace sign designs. The designs appear on items such as jewelry, kites, and boogie boards for surfing.
"I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it."
Sources:
Eisenhower, Dwight. (1890-1969). 34th President of the US. 1953 to 1961. Quotations by Author. Quotations Page.
Noto, Lauren."Peace Sign Popularity Continues to Grow." The Augusta Chronicle. Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009.
"The Origin of the Peace Sign." A History of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).
Origin of the Peace Sign
In her 2009 article 'Peace Sign Popularity Continues to Grow', published by the Augusta Chronicle, Lauren Noto explains the background of the peace sign."Called a broken cross by religious leaders and a Communist symbol in by the conservative John Birch Society, its real origin lies in nuclear protest," wrote Noto.
According to 'The Origin of the Peace Sign,' an excerpt from A history of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) (CND) logo, the sign was designed in 1958 by conscientious objector Gerald Holtrom. He explained that the symbol design evolved from semaphore letters for N and D, to stand for Nuclear Disarmament.
"I was in despair. Deep despair. I drew myself: the representative of an individual in despair, with hands palm outstretched outwards and downwards in the manner of Goya's peasant before the firing squad. I formalised the drawing into a line and put a circle round it," said Holtrom.
Popularity of Peace Signs
In 2010, peace signs appear more frequently than they did during the Vietnam War. During that war, peace signs mostly appeared on protest signs and worn by hippies. The sign itself did not appear in mainstream society, and to wear one often invited a discussion, or argument, about the Vietnam War.However, in the years 2009 to 2010, the peace sign appears in mainstream society, especially on clothing and items for children, tweens, teens, and young adults. Clothing stores are filled with shirts and pants with peace sign designs. The designs appear on items such as jewelry, kites, and boogie boards for surfing.
President Eisenhower and Peace
The peace signs worn by the youth in the early 21st century sound like a muted appeal for peace. The appeal echoes the words of a United States World War II general and later President of the United States. Before becoming President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower served as General Eisenhower during the Second World War. Despite his military career, Eisenhower saw that people over the world exhibited a distaste for war and a desire for peace."I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it."
Sources:
Eisenhower, Dwight. (1890-1969). 34th President of the US. 1953 to 1961. Quotations by Author. Quotations Page.
Noto, Lauren."Peace Sign Popularity Continues to Grow." The Augusta Chronicle. Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009.
"The Origin of the Peace Sign." A History of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).
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