How WWII got its Name!

[Jim]

The Naming Of World War II, September 11, 1945
[United States, Department of State, Bulletin (Government Printing Office, Washington, 1945), XIII, 427-428.]
10 September 1945

The President
The White House

Dear Mr. President: President Wilson, under date of July 31, 1919, addressed a letter to Secretary of War Baker which read, in part, as follows:

"It is hard to find a satisfactory 'official' name for the war but the best, I think, that has been suggested is 'The World War,' and I hope that your judgment will concur."

Subsequently, under date of October 7, 1919, War Department General Orders No. 115 directed:

"The war against the Central Powers of Europe, in which the United States has taken part, will hereafter be designated in all official communications and publications as 'The World War.'"
As a matter of simplicity and to insure uniform terminology, it is recommended that "World War II" be the officially designated name for the present war covering all theatres and the entire period of hostilities.
The term "World War II" has been used in at least seven public laws to designate this period of hostilities. Analysis of publications and radio programs indicates that this term has been accepted by common usage.
If this recommendation is approved it is further recommended that the title "World War II" be published in the Federal Register as the official name of the present war. [See 10 Federal Register 1188.]
Respectfully yours,
HENRY L. STIMSON,
Secretary of War

JAMES FORRESTAL,
Secretary of the Navy.

Approved: September 11, 1945
HARRY S. TRUMAN

[Rainyday]

Is WW2 the name recognized throughout the world? Or just here in the US?

Even in the south, in common usage, the Civil War has a different name:)

[Dave]

The Soviets called it "The Great Patriotic War".

PS Rainyday I'd be interested to know what they call the civil war in the south?

[r2b2ct]

You know, this is actually a very interesting tidbit of information. I never truly knew how major things pick up a standardized name. I guess in this case it was approved by President Truman himself.

[Stalin]

Really the name actually makes itself, i don't think it needed a rubber stamp from the president of the USA to confirm this, especially when it followed World War I.

[SamIam]

Really the name actually makes itself, i don't think it needed a rubber stamp from the president of the USA to confirm this, especially when it followed World War I.

So true. It is very interesting that you for sharing but I agree seems like an obvious name.

[Shadow]

Wasn't WWI sometimes referred to as the War to end all Wars?

[crunkyjens]

Wasn't WWI sometimes referred to as the War to end all Wars?

Not to be negative but I feel that the "War to end all Wars" will be the war that eventually destroys Earth as we know it. As long as we live there will always be wars, whether it's between other countries alone, or ones that we decide to stick our nose it. The world will never truely be at peace. It's impossible...

[brandon05]

That is very interesting. I did not realize that some countries referred to it by another name. I agree with you on the War to end all Wars is going to be one that destroys everything or close to it.

[Stalin]

That is very interesting. I did not realize that some countries referred to it by another name. I agree with you on the War to end all Wars is going to be one that destroys everything or close to it.

Will this really happen? I would have thought that the politicians had the power to make sure this couldn't happen.