Douglas Fairbanks, movie star, speaking in front of the Sub-Treasury building, New York City, to aid the 3rd Liberty Loan. A Liberty Bond was a war bond that was sold in the United States to support the allied cause in WWI. Subscribing to the bonds became a symbol of patriotic duty in the United States and introduced the idea of financial securities to many citizens for the first time. The Act of Congress which authorized the Liberty Bonds is still used today as the authority under which all U.S. Treasury bonds are issued. Through the selling of Liberty bonds, the government raised around $17 billion for the war effort. Considering that there were approximately 100 million Americans during that time, each American, on average, raised $170 on Liberty bonds. Douglas Fairbanks (May 23, 1883 - December 12, 1939) was an American actor, screenwriter, director, and producer. He was best known for his swashbuckling roles in silent films such as The Thief of Bagdad, Robin Hood, and The Mark of Zorro.