We took the occasion of our 200th anniversary to think about how our covers have reflected the last two centuries of our nation. The most “American” illustrations are often not those filled with outward signs of pomp and patriotism, but rather the quieter moments found between a father and son, a tough decision at the voting booth, or a walk through a wheat field. We’ve been around for 200 years of this great experiment, and we hope we get to stick around to witness and record the next 200. We don’t have any idea what’s in store next, or what we’ll become as a nation, but if the pages of the magazine have taught us anything, it’s that we’ll have to find our way together.
Two Generations of Vets
Stevan Dohanos
July 5, 1947
Amber Waves of Grain
John Falter
September 8, 1945
North Dakota
John Falter’s ” back-to-school ” cover shows a lad with a new haircut crossing the fields to a country schoolhouse. This is one that we’re not 100% sure is in North Dakota, but the scene landscape looks decidedly North Dakotan. If you’re from the state, let us know if you disagree.
Golden Rule (Do Unto Others)
Norman Rockwell
April 1, 1961
Trick-Or-Treating in the Burbs
John Falter
November 1, 1958
Lookout Point
Richard Sargent
July 18, 1953
Tennessee
Papa has been steering the bus for three days toward Point Lookout, and, having finally made it, is he not justified in decrying the little ones’ disinterest in lookouting? On the other hand, for three days the kids have been peering at interminable scenery; so now that the car has quit jiggling and reading is possible, what is more dutiful than rejoicing in the new hooks that papa bought them to read? Of course, modern readers may long for the days when children were glued to books and not phones.
Football Pile-Up
Constantin Alajalov
October 23, 1948
Giving Santa His Seat
Richard Sargent
December 10, 1955
Sargent had nearly 40 Post covers under his belt before he painted this heartwarming Christmas cover of a little boy (Sargent’s neighbor Richie McCullough) who is eager to take advantage of an opportunity to do a good deed — especially with Christmas only a few days away.
Breaking Home Ties
Norman Rockwell
September 25, 1954
Yankee Stadium
John Falter
April 19, 1947
Fireworks
Ben Kimberly Prins
July 4, 1953
Wanted Posters
Stevan Dohanos
February 21, 1953
School Pictures
Stevan Dohanos
June 15, 1946
Saying Grace
Norman Rockwell
November 24, 1951
Oregon or Bust
John Clymer
August 4, 1951
Washington Crossing the Delaware
Stevan Dohanos
February 24, 1951
Rural Church at Night
Mead Schaeffer
December 30, 1944
Undecided
Norman Rockwell
November 4, 1944
Just a year earlier, Rockwell had completed his famous series of paintings that depicted the Four Freedoms that President Franklin D. Roosevelt had spoken about in his January 6, 1941, speech to Congress. A year later, Rockwell’s take on democracy was much more whimsical. Perhaps he was feeling more positive: the Allies were on their way to winning World War II, and Rockwell’s Four Freedoms had raised $132 million to support the war effort.
Rosie the Riveter
Norman Rockwell
May 29, 1943
Ringing Liberty Bell
J.C. Leyendecker
July 6, 1935
Woman on Horse in Mountains
W.H.D. Koerner
October 6, 1928
French Soldier’s Greeting
J.C. Leyendecker
September 1, 1917
Golf Trophy
George Brehm
June 6, 1925
Santa’s Lap
J.C. Leyendecker
December 22, 1923
Artist J.C. Leyendecker painted more covers for The Saturday Evening Post than any other artist. While he may have been better known for his cherubic New Year’s babies and his strapping sportsmen, he was no slouch when it came to illustrating classic portrayals of Santa Claus.
First Day of School
J.C. Leyendecker
September 20, 1913
Marching Band Drummer
J.C. Leyendecker
September 24, 1921