Tuesday Open Line


The home front during World War II had to cope with some irritating limitations and scarcities, notably gas rationing and a lack of new cars and tires. But what really hit the public where it hurt was coffee rationing. Imposed in 1942 because of hoarding and supply concerns, it proved very unpopular. Late this month in 1943, President Roosevelt ended the program because imports had rebounded. Coffee is believed to have been introduced into America by Captain John Smith of the Jamestown Colony in Virginia. Consumption jumped after both the Boston Tea Party and the beginning of Prohibition. Now, Americans drink an average of just over 23 gallons of coffee each year in all its varieties and preparations. You can find more facts about America’s people, places and economy from the American Community Survey at <www.census.gov>.