We delved into the Echo archives to find 17 images of Wearside going on with daily life despite the ever-present threat of German bombs.
They cleaned up after air raids, built air raid shelters, learned how to use gas masks, went about their daily lives and smiled through adversity.
Take a look at 17 reminders of Sunderland and County Durham in 1940.
5. Leaving their hometown
Here are some older children saying goodbye to Sunderland as they get on the train at Monkwearmouth Station to be evacuated. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Sunderland Echo
6. Facing evacuation
These Sunderland schoolchildren faced being separated from their families under the wartime evacuation scheme. But they put on a brave face as they headed to their new homes. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Sunderland Echo
7. Working in the shipyards
Working in the shipyards of Sunderland to keep the war effort going. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Sunderland Echo
8. Working together to clear the debris
A team of people came together to remove this road block in October 1940. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: SE