HISTORY & TIMELINE
I
and politically. But it almost never came to pass.
The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights—
nearly stalled in Congress as members of the House and Senate debated provisions of
the controversial bill.
Some shunned the idea of paying unemployed Veterans $20 a week because they
thought it diminished their incentive to look for work. Others questioned the concept of
for the rich.
into civilian life.
Much of the urgency stemmed from a desire to avoid the missteps following
WORLD WAR
allowance and a train ticket home.
commonly known as the Bonus Act. The law provided
a bonus based on the number of days served. But
there was a catch: most Veterans would not see a
dime for 20 years.
payment of their bonuses. When they did not
stick around until they got paid. They were
later kicked out of town following a bitter
standoff with US troops. The incident marked
one of the greatest periods of unrest our
nation’s capital had ever known.
VETERANS AFFAIRS 90 YEARS: Military & Wellness 77