Poster designed by Illion (George Illian) with text printed in black and red, and color portrait of Cardinal Mercier. ; Statement of responsibility: Illion (sic). No.10. "Publication date derived from Library of Congress Web site of World War I digitized posters.Add'l physical form: Also available online. Rare Books copies: Gift of Louis F. Peck, Professor of English, 1965. World War I began as a conflict between the Allies (France, the United Kingdom, and Russia) and the Central Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary). The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary and his wife Sophie ignited the war in 1914. Italy joined the Allies in 1915, followed by the United States in 1917. A ceasefire was declared at 11 AM on 11 November 1918. Food shortages were widespread in Europe during the war. Even before the United States entered the war, American relief organizations were shipping food overseas. On the home front, it was hoped that Americans would adjust their eating habits in such a way as to conserve food that could then be sent abroad. Americans were told to go meatless and wheatless and to eat more corn and fish. Americans were also encouraged to plant victory gardens and to can fruits and vegetables. The poster was a major tool for broad dissemination of information during the war. Countries on both sides of the conflict distributed posters widely to garner support, urge action, and boost morale. George John Illian, born in 1894, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was an illustrator. He studied at the Art Institutes of Milwaukee and Chicago, and Art Students' League, New York. He was a Member of the Society of Illustrators, New York. Illian died in 1932. Cardinal Désiré Joseph Mercier was archbishop of Malines, and the chief originator of the neo-scholastic movement in Belgium. He protested the German occupation of Belgium during World War I."