From the Mirror archives

July 4, 1943

A US soldier and his girlfriend do the jitterbug during a traditional hayride and picnic lunch organised by the American Red Cross in Britain to celebrate Independence Day. The first GIS landed in the UK in 1942 and brought with them chewing gum, Coca-cola, cigarettes and nylon. They earned five times more than British soldiers and were renowned for their love of parties. More than 70,000 British women became GI brides.