| in Did You Know Facts
During WWII, wearing lipstick became a symbol of patriotism.
During WWII, bright red lipstick surged back into vogue for an unexpected purpose. Adolf Hitler reputedly despised red lipstick, among other reasons. In the 1940s, women crowded the industries on the battlefields wearing red lipstick as a symbol of patriotism and bravery. The Marines pushed this trend a step further by making 'Montezuma Red' lipstick required for female Marines. Montezuma is a line from the Marine song commemorating the Halls of Montezuma, a fight in which US Marines participated during the Mexican War. The color red symbolized the American flag and grew to symbolize strength.