When traditions gave way to war
It was 1941. A gallon of gas cost 12 cents. “Dumbo” and “Citizen Kane” hit the movie screen. The U.S. Army adopted the Jeep. When the Class of 1941 entered Harvard, the University still had a polo team, which was a favored destination for future Army officers enamored of the cavalry. There was also an annual freshman smoker in Memorial Hall. In May 1938, 1,000 students from the class attended a performance by circus giant Jack Earle, adventurer Frank “Bring ‘Em Back Alive” Buck, and bubble dancer Sally Rand. She kept her clothes on, and delivered a lecture called “How To Be Intelligent Though Educated.” Last week (May 25-26), during the 70th class reunion, there were no adventurers or burlesque dancers on the program. But 20 members of the class did return, often with their children and grandchildren. There was plenty of discussion, and that was bittersweet too. (At Harvard, the 70th...