Remembering History: 29 Oct 40: For the first time in American history, a peacetime draft begins. A lottery system is used to select men to serve for twelve months. Secretary of War Henry Stimson, blindfolded, reaches into a bowl and pulls out the first capsule. From a nearby podium, FDR announces the number drawn: 158. Across the country, 6,175 young men hold that number. More: scanningwwii.com/a

29 Oct 40: For the first time in American history, a peacetime draft begins. A lottery system is used to select men to serve for twelve months. Secretary of War Henry Stimson, blindfolded, reaches into a bowl and pulls out the first capsule. From a nearby podium, FDR announces the number drawn: 158. Across the country, 6,175 young men hold that number. More: scanningwwii.com/a

29 Oct 40: For the first time in American history, a peacetime draft begins. A lottery system is used to select men to serve for twelve months. Secretary of War Henry Stimson, blindfolded, reaches into a bowl and pulls out the first capsule. From a nearby podium, FDR announces the number drawn: 158. Across the country, 6,175 young men hold that number. More: scanningwwii.com/a