The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944-commonly known as the G.I. Bill of Rights - promised a college degree to every veteran who wanted to study. Eight million Americans, many of whom had never dreamed of going to college, were suddenly able to pay for the college or university of their choice. The national economy boomed as a generation of unskilled workers acquired new training and expertise that increased productivity and stimulated innovation.

What many don't remember, or don't know, is that this landmark bill almost didn't come to pass.

In Congress, at the time, 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 sending battle-hardened veterans to colleges and universities, a privilege then reserved for the rich.

Harry W. Colmery, a former national commander of the American Legion and former Republican National Chairman, is credited with drawing up the first draft of the GI Bill, which was the basis for bills in the House of Representatives and Senate. Those versions allayed concerns of Members of Congress just enough for each House of Congress to pass versions of the bill. Yet, when the houses came together to iron-out their differences for a single bill, again, the G.I. Bill almost died.

Eventually, it was passed, and on June 22, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed it into law. Of the veterans the bill would benefit, President Roosevelt said, "They have been compelled to make greater economic sacrifice and every other kind of sacrifice than the rest of us, and are entitled to definite action to help take care of their special problems."