Sources for America’s History: Printed Page 767

30-6  |America Reacts to Gulf War Victory
NAJLAH FEANNY-HICKS, Over Two Million People Watched Troops March in the Operation Welcome Home Ticker Tape Parade (1991)

When Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein invaded neighboring Kuwait in August 1990, President George H. W. Bush rallied an international coalition to turn back the invasion, culminating in a decisive victory within days of the ground assault against Iraqi forces. Covered live on television, this quick war appeared to be a complete American victory and a psychological boost to a nation still struggling to forget its loss in Vietnam less than two decades earlier. Returning troops were welcomed home by countless celebrations, including this June 1991 parade down New York City’s Broadway.

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Source: Najlah Feanny-Hicks, “Over Two Million People Watched Troops March in the Operation Welcome Home Ticker Tape Parade” (1991), © Corbis.

READING AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. Question

    How would you characterize the mood of Americans following the Gulf War as it is depicted in this photograph? What do you think the dog’s owner was feeling while watching the parade?

  2. Question

    The sign in the background says, “Let no one say America has no hero[e]s. Welcome home Troops!” What point do you think the woman holding the sign is trying to make?

  3. Question

    What can you discern about the perspective of the photographer? What was she saying about America’s postwar celebrations?