By Roy Nuhn
As seen in The Antique Shoppe Newspaper, November
November 11th marks the anniversary of the end of World War I and the beginning
of what is now known as Veterans Day. It honors the men who fought - especially
those who died - in the great war which began in the earliest days of the new
20th century. It has also become a day to pay homage equally to all men and
women who have fought in America's wars and conflicts since then. From 1918 to the coming of World War II, Americans
celebrated Armistice Day, as it was then called, every year with parades,
religious services and a solemn two-minute prayer in factories and schools.
Congress made it an official holiday in 1938, legalizing what had become an
annual event. The enacting legislation stipulated that November 11
would be "dedicated to the cause of world peace." But since that time, with the
exception of the activities of veterans' groups, November 11 slowly became a
forgotten and neglected holiday. But recent conflicts in Yugoslavia and Iraq,
and the war on terrorism, military actions involving call-ups of the reserves
and National Guard, have made the day once again meaningful to Americans. The number of veterans from World War I still alive is
now very few, and memories of that great European land war have faded. Only old
movie films and photos, and the memorabilia now being so avidly collected enable
us to remember that terrible conflict which ended close to a century ago.
The peace that Europeans had enjoyed for more than 40
years, and Americans for over a half-century (ignoring, of course, the so very
brief Spanish-American War of 1898) proved to be a passing illusion. In August
of 1914 the flames of war enveloped nearly every European nation.
Commemorative pin (1919 or early
1920s)
Three short years later, our own country's young men marched off to the trenches of France as allies of the French and British in a conflict President Woodrow Wilson would soon turn into a holy "war to end all wars."
On April 6, 1917, Congress declared war on Germany. This came after months of unrestricted warfare against American commerce on the high seas and other intolerable acts by Kaiser Wilhelm's government. The first American contingent, the 1st Infantry Division of the Regular U.S.. Army, under the command of General John J. "Blackjack" Pershing, quickly arrived in France. It was followed by recently mobilized National Guard units.
There was a war to be fought and while their men were in-uniform, the women left behind rolled bandages, sold war bonds, and did whatever was needed to help the war effort. In Washington, D.C., the Wilson administration, now totally dedicated to winning the war, proceeded to whip up public support and enthusiasm.
A tidal wave of printed matter rolled off the presses praising our nation and allies, and vilifying the "barbaric" Germans. Liberty Bond drives turned into litmus tests of patriotism. "Four-Minute Men" orated at every public assembly, and anything German was banned or destroyed.
The Armistice that ended World War I took effect November II, 1918. Soon American troops began coming home. A tremendous variety of ephemera was produce in connection with the ending of the war. Many postcards, for instance, were created by various organizations for use by returning doughboys to tell the folks back home that they had either arrived stateside or would soon be boarding transport for the trip across the Atlantic. Cards by such artists as Norman Rockwell and Clare Briggs for this purpose are much in demand by collectors today.
Other postcards were published and sold for family members to send to servicemen still in uniform and stationed overseas. These had patriotic illustrations, often the Statue of Liberty or the Stars and Stripes, with verses saying how proud they were of him and the American victory.
The first Armistice Day, later changed to Veterans Day, was celebrated in 1918. This year's is the 75th. It was the end of the war and Americans became dizzy with happiness. Whistles blew and church bells rang from coast to coast. Factories closed down, schools emptied out, stores hung out "closed" signs, and impromptu parades quickly formed in large cities and small towns alike. Old Glory was everywhere - flying from rooftops, porches and street corners. Every serviceman in uniform was an instant hero. Mothers and sweethearts could now look forward to having their boys come marching home.
The first Armistice Day was an emotional occasion for people who had survived high prices, long hours of work, shortages of every kind, a dreary Christmas in 1917, and the agony of having a loved one in the front lines. Subsequent Armistice Days would be more restrained and far more solemn.
Besides postcards, Armistice Day memorabilia includes pins and badges, sheet music, programs of special ceremonies and observances, magazine covers, and newspapers.
Also to be found are colorful silk ribbons, usually two or 21, x 11 or 12 inches in size with inscriptions like "Memorial To Our Heroes Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice in the Great European War Apr. 17 - November II, 1918 - Victory Day - America First." Manufacturers included The Peacock Company of Providence, Rhode Island. Such ribbons were worn by parading veterans during the 1920s, a time when Armistice Day festivities were at their height.
During the passing decades of the 20th century, veterans of subsequent wars adopted November 11 as a day to remember fallen comrades and to sustain public awareness.
May there never be another war to add yet more legions of veterans to the holiday's roll call! But recent events, such as the attack on the World Trade Center apparently dooms this hope.
If you have any questions, you can Email us at antshoppe@aol.com
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