Tag: Racial equality

What Was the Stage Door Canteen?

For thousands of servicemen from all over the world who found themselves passing through New York City during World War II, the Stage Door Canteen was a magical place. You were treated like royalty when you walked through the door.

There was free food and top-notch entertainment from the biggest stars of radio, Broadway, and Hollywood. And best of all, there were scores of pretty young women falling all over themselves to dance with you or sit with you to share a few moments of conversation.

The purpose of the Stage Door Canteen was to provide servicemen, who might be returning from or heading into combat a place where they could relax and enjoy themselves. Except for the fact that no liquor was served and patrons didn’t have to pay for anything, the canteen was like a high-class nightclub with top-tier entertainment.

And from the perspective of the visiting servicemen, the best part was that you didn’t have to find a girl to take to the club – they were already there waiting for you and would even seek you out.

A Place Where Everyone Was Accepted, Regardless of Background

It didn’t matter where you came from. As long as you were an enlisted soldier or sailor or airman (no officers allowed) in the armed services of any of the “United Nations,” you were welcome. So, on any given night you could see vivacious young hostesses dancing or chatting with Brits or Frenchmen or Greeks or Americans.

And in the canteen, unlike almost anywhere else in the United States during that era, the term “Americans” included African Americans.