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1941: Pearl Harbor Attacked as U.S. Enters World War II

By This timeline is a collaboration between visual artist Isaac Scott and historian Dr. Shana Russell.
1941: Pearl Harbor Attacked as U.S. Enters World War II The realities of World War II permeate Rikers Island in spite of its remoteness. Men gather around the radio daily for updates. A war information center is created for detainees in the library. Many are incensed about the Selective Service’s ban on the enlistment of justice-involved persons. “Our freedoms are gone,” exclaims the Rikers Review. This, the author insists, makes them particularly attuned to what a Hitler victory could look like, yet they are forced to remain “passively patriotic.” After encouragement from President Roosevelt (and a need for more eligible men to serve) the ban is eventually lifted. Creator: This timeline is a collaboration between visual artist Isaac Scott and historian Dr. Shana Russell. Date: 1941

The realities of World War II permeate Rikers Island in spite of its remoteness. Men gather around the radio daily for updates. A war information center is created for detainees in the library. Many are incensed about the Selective Service’s ban on the enlistment of justice-involved persons. “Our freedoms are gone,” exclaims the Rikers Review. This, the author insists, makes them particularly attuned to what a Hitler victory could look like, yet they are forced to remain “passively patriotic.” After encouragement from President Roosevelt (and a need for more eligible men to serve) the ban is eventually lifted.

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This timeline is a collaboration between visual artist Isaac Scott and historian Dr. Shana Russell., “1941: Pearl Harbor Attacked as U.S. Enters World War II,” Rikers Public Memory Project Archive, accessed October 17, 2026, http://archive.rikersmemoryproject.org/items/show/260.