HARDING WAS CONVINCED 'ARMISTICE DAY' HOLIDAY WOULD AROUSE POSITIVE PUBLIC OPINION FOR ARMS LIMITATION
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The First World War ended at the "11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" in 1918. The armistice was signed in France. The Cornell Daily Sun (1920) characterized November 11th as "the universal thanksgiving day."
In 1921, President Warren G. Harding became "convinced" that "an aroused public opinion" would impact positively the Washington Arms Limitation Conference planned for November of that year.
Harding decided to issue a proclamation to make November 11th, "Armistice Day," a virtual holiday."
Armistice Day became Veterans Day in 1954 to honor veterans of all wars, not just World War I.
SOURCES
"Armistice Day," The Cornell Daily Sun, Vol XLI, No 40, 11 November 1920, Keith Johnson 56. Archive, www.edsun.library.cornell.edu/
"Harding Issues Proclamation Making November 11 A Holiday," JFK+50, September 20, 2021, www.jfk50.blogspot.com/
"Harding Plans Solemn Day as Parley Opens," by Carter Field, The New York Tribune, September 21, 1921, www.chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/
%20(1).jpg)
