Happy Birthday Rita

On this day in 1918, the world welcomed American femme fatale and WWII sweetheart, Rita Hayworth. Born Margarita Carmen Cansino in New York City, Hayworth was the ultimate pin up girl of the 40s and 50s and one of the inspirations behind the Cockpit USA Pin-Ups collection. Famous for her starring roles in Only Angels Have Wings, You'll Never Get Rich and Cover Girlopposite Hollywood's finest, including Carey Grant, Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, the flame haired screen siren and dancer soon amassed a nation of admirers. Known for her allure and beauty, Hayworth captivated the hearts of gentlemen and GI's all over the country. She appeared in over 60 films during her career, her image emblazoned planes and jackets of servicemen everywhere and she is even reported to have been painted on to the first nuclear bomb in 1946, literally establishing her iconic status as the ultimate bombshell forever. She was a heroine of glamorous American history and a star to the end. Happy Birthday Rita!