"THE UNIVERSAL THANKSGIVING DAY"

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/

Armistice Day Parade

Washington Street

Salem, Massachusetts (1919)

Photo by Leland O. Tilford

Nelson Dionne Salem Historical Collection

"WILL FOR PEACE MORE DOMINANT THAN DESIRE TO SLAY"

HUMAN RACE FACES EXTINCTION IF WORLD CONFLICT EVER BREAKS OUT AGAIN

El Centro*, California (JFK+50) On Armistice Day**, November 11, 1924, The Imperial Valley Press published a full page article titled "Armistice Day" which reads, in part...

"Again Armistice Day has rolled around and today we should pay homage to the boys in khaki and spend some time in meditation.

The will for peace is today more dominant than the old-time desire to slay.  The world is facing a new era when quarrels among nations will be settled amicably and bloodlessly through wise counsel and reasoning.

When that time comes, who will dare rise up and say that the sacrifice of those brave men who died across the water was in vain?

The human race faces extinction if a world conflict...ever breaks out again."

*El Centro, founded in 1906, is located in the extreme SE part of California.  A majority of its residents are Hispanic & it is the county seat & largest city of Imperial County.

**Armistice Day was officially named in the United States by a congressional resolution passed in 1926.  In 1938, it became a national holiday.  The date was chosen because fighting of WWI ended on Nov 11, 1918.

In 1947, the 1st Veterans Day celebration took place in Birmingham, Alabama & in 1954, Armistice Day officially became Veterans Day. 

JFK+50 NOTE

Imperial County was carried by Kamala Harris (D) in the Election of 2024 with 52% of the vote.  Turnout, however, was disappointing.  Of 90,000 registered voters only 31.8% cast ballots.  28,332 ballots were by mail with only 452 voting on Election Day. 

SOURCES

"Armistice Day," The Imperial Valley Press, El Centro, California, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

"Election Summary Report:  County of Imperial," November 5, 2024, www.imperialcounty.org/

"The Origins of Veterans Day," Celebrating America's Freedoms, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, www.va.gov/

 

 

Armistice Day Flag

Photo by Richard Hoare

Conwy, Wales

2018

www.geograph.org.uk/

"IT OUGHT TO MEAN PERMANENT RETURN OF PEACE"

COOLIDGE SAYS WE ARE ON THRESHOLD OF A NEW ERA

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On November 11, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge issued his Armistice Day statement which stated...

"November 11 is the fifth anniversary of the signing of the armistice.  The nations have not recovered from (World War I), nor will they recover for some time to come.

It is greatly to be hoped that we are on the threshold of a new era.  Our country will remember with gratitude those who served...with distinction.  

(Armistice Day means) the end of a war.  It ought to mean the permanent return of peace."

SOURCE

"Peace by Justice Coolidge's Hope Armistice Day," The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., November 11, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

 Armistice Day Poster

Mike Licht

www.flickr.com/

"THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ARMISTICE DAY"

MR. WILSON'S ARMISTICE DAY SPEECH WILL BE BROADCAST TO THOUSANDS OVER RADIO

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On Friday, November 2, 1923, The Evening Star reports that former President Woodrow Wilson's forthcoming Armistice Day* address "will pierce the ether** for the first time since he left the White House."

The remarks will be delivered from the front steps of Mr. Wilson's home at 2340 S Street NW here in the District of Columbia.  His words will be broadcast over three powerful radio stations: WCAP Washington, D.C., WEAF New York CIty, and WJAR Providence, R.I.

The subject of the speech, expected to last ten minutes, will be "The Significance of Armistice Day."

JFK+50 NOTE

Woodrow Wilson's 'Armistice Day' speech would actually be delivered on November 10, 1923.  Richard Striner describes it as "one of the most poignant & prophetic...speeches of his life."

Mr. Wilson said the U.S. has "forever marred" the peace by refusing to bear any part of the administration of the peace (i.e. not joining the League of Nations). The former POTUS, however, correctly predicted his country would eventually take on world leadership responsibilities.  

The speech can be accessed via You Tube, CSPAN.

*Armistice Day, a.k.a. Veterans Day, celebrated on Nov 11th marks the armistice signed by the allies of WWI & Germany in France on that date in 1918.  Veterans Day (U.S.) honors military veterans both living and deceased.

**ether waves or radio waves, electromagnetic radiation.  The term ether is a long time antiquated reference to radio signal transmission. 

SOURCES

"Armistice Day broadcast--Woodrow Wilson," November 10, 1923, Essay by Richard Striner, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"Thousands to Hear Wilson By Radio on Armistice Day," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., November 2, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Armistice Day Poster

Mike Licht

www.flickr.com/

"AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD"

PRESIDENT HARDING LAYS WREATH AT TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On Armistice Day*, November 11, 1922, President Warren G. Harding "paid tribute" by placing a wreath** on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier*** at Arlington National Cemetery.

Flanking the commander-in-chief during the ceremony were the Secretaries of War and Navy.

The tomb bears the inscription...

 "Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God."

In a message to the Nation sent out the previous evening, the President said Armistice Day marks...

"the victorious culmination of our nation's most impressive participation in the affairs of the world."

*Armistice Day marks the signing of the armistice between the Allies & Germany on November 11, 1918.  The armistice would go into effect "on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month.  Today, it is known as Veterans Day in the United States.

**The wreath included American beauties & great, white chrysanthemums.

***The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the final resting place of one of America's unidentified WWI servicemen as well as unknowns from later wars.  The tomb is a white marble sarcophagus standing on a hill overlooking the Nation's Capital.

SOURCES

"President Leads Nation's Tribute To Soldier Dead," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., November 11, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier," Arlington National Cemetery, www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/

 

 

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Arlington National Cemetery

Photo by John White

April 25, 2016

"UPON HIS RETURNING HEALTH & SHOW OUR APPRECIATION"

ADMIRERS OF PRESIDENT WILSON TO HONOR HIM ON ARMISTICE DAY

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On November 6, 1921, a group of admirers of Woodrow Wilson "selected Armistice Day, November 11, to express their appreciation of the former President."

The group plans to follow the ceremonies of the burial of the unknown American soldier at Arlington with a demonstration at Mr. Wilson's home* on S Street here in the District. 

Sponsors of the event issued a formal invitation "to congratulate Mr. Wilson..upon his returning health and show him our appreciation." 

*Woodrow Wilson House, home of the 28th POTUS after he left office, is located at 2340 S Street NW just off Embassy Row.  WW died here on Feb 3, 1924.

SOURCE

"Wilson Demonstration Set For Armistice Day," The New York Tribune, November 7, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

   

 

Woodrow Wilson House

Washington, D.C.

Photo by APK (2020)

"CAPTURED 3 MG NESTS, KILLED 19 ENEMY SOLDIERS"

SGT. WOODFILL TO REPRESENT U.S. ARMY INFANTRY AT ARMISTICE DAY CEREMONIES

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 31, 1921, General John J. Pershing, after reviewing records of the recent world war, designated Sergeant Samuel Woodfill* of the 60th Infantry, 5th Division to represent the U.S. Army at the upcoming Armistice Day ceremonies.

Sgt. Woodfill arrived in the Nation's Capital today from Fort Thomas, Kentucky.  His actions of valor came at the Meuse-Argonne offensive on October 12, 1918 when he single-handedly "captured three machine guns, killed nineteen enemy soldiers and took three prisoners."

*Samuel Woodfill (1883-1850) was born in Belleview, Indiana & served in the US Army 1901-1923.  SW received the Medal of Honor in addition to numerous other U.S. & foreign honors.  He also served in WWII, 1942-1944.

SOURCE

"Armistice Day Hero Named by Gen. Pershing," The New York Tribune, November 1, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

   

 

Sgt. Samuel Woodfill

April 14 1921

U.S. Army Photo

"PUBLIC OPINION WILL EFFECT ARMS CONFERENCE"

HARDING TO ISSUE PROCLAMATION MAKING NOV 11 A HOLIDAY

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On September 20, 1921, Carter Field of the New York Tribune learned that President Warren G. Harding is "convinced that an aroused public opinion will have its effect on the armament limitation conference," so he "intends to issue a proclamation and will make the day {Armistice Day*} a virtual, if not a legal, holiday."

The President plans to have the conference meet on November 11, 1921 "perfunctorily," and then adjourn without fanfare or speeches.  The actual beginning of the conference will then be on November 12.

On November 11, the President and the Cabinet will go to Arlington National Cemetery to observe the burial of America's "Unknown Soldier**," who died in France during the late world war.

*Armistice Day, November 11, marks the signing of the armistice in France for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of WWI. AD became Veteran's Day to honor military veterans of all conflicts.

**The WWI Unknown Soldier is a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the Victoria Cross and other high awards.  He was interred on Nov 11 1921 below a 3 level marble tomb. 

SOURCE

"Harding Plans Solemn Day as Parley Opens," by Carter Field, The New York Tribune, September 21, 1921, www.chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ 

   

 

Changing of the Guard

Arlington National Cemetery

Photo by Kyler Becker (2018)

www.wikimedia.org/

"IT IS THE UNIVERSAL THANKSGIVING DAY"

"NOVEMBER 11TH IS MORE THAN AN AMERICAN HOLIDAY"

Ithaca, New York (JFK+50) On November 11, 1920, the Cornell Daily Sun published a front page editorial titled "Armistice Day*."

The editorial states...

"The World War** will not go uncelebrated in America during the years that are to come.  The news of the armistice (two short years ago) was flashed all over the world.  All memories were drowned in the sudden flash of joy at the end of the struggle.  In America, the day will never be forgotten.  Peace spread quickly from coast to coast."

The Cornell Sun concluded...

"(November 11th) is more than an American holiday, it is the universal thanksgiving day."

 

*Armistice Day signaled the end of World War I at the "11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" on November 11, 1918.  The armistice was signed in France at 5:45 a.m. to take effect at 11 a.m.  The day is a national holiday in France & other Allied nations.  In the United States is now known as Veterans Day to honor all veterans.

**In 1920, it was known as "The World War" because at that time there had only been the one.  Ironically, some called it "the war to end all wars." It was only after a second world war came along (1939-1945) that "the world war" was rechristened "World War I".  

 

SOURCE

"Armistice Day," The Cornell Daily Sun, Vol XLI, No. 40, 11 Nov 1920, Keith Johnson '56.  Archive, www.cdsun.library.cornell.edu/ 

 

 

 

Armistice Day Celebration

Philadelphia, PA

11 November 1918

Library Company of Philadelphia