NOTE: Okay, this is pretty much a repeat of a post I've written. But, hey, I've composed twenty original posts for the A-Z Challenge. I think I'm entitled to a bit of a breather. The way I figure it, though, this meets my theme of "history," and it complies with the letter "V." If you disagree, sue me.
On November 11th, 1918 (the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month), the Germans
surrendered to the Allied powers in the
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| Little did they know there'd be a sequel in twenty years |
The following November, President Woodrow Wilson declared "Armistice Day” would henceforth be observed in honor of those who had fallen during the “war to end all wars.”
Then, he had a stroke leaving his wife, Edith to run the government. Which begs the question, how sucky was the vice-president?
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| A racist and a bit of a sanctimonious prig, but at least he gave us the Internal Revenue Service. Hey. Wait. |
Following the Second World War (the “good”
war, an oxymoron if I ever heard one), the town of
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| Not to be confused with kaiser rolls. |
As the years went by, the idea of setting a special day aside for veterans took hold. In 1954, Congress made the name change official and President Eisenhower called on all Americans to observe the day. But, surprisingly, it took until 1971 for Richard Nixon to declare it a federal holiday.
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| "I am not a croo...oh, wait. hat Veterans Day thing was a good idea." |
And here some of thought that the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month was just about car sales, no mail, and bargains on bed linen.
Incidentally, I know the other victors of the First World War (United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and so on) have their own days. In this crazy-ass world in which we find ourselves, let's hold on to that which unites us, rather than the other way around. I salute you all. Yes, France, even you.
If we ever do have another world war, that one will be the war to end all as it probably will end everything.
ReplyDeleteA fourth world war will be fought with sticks.
DeleteDon't they celebrate it with poppies in Europe? Or am I confusing that with another day?
ReplyDeleteThey do. Also pass out poppies here.
DeleteYes! We wear Poppies to honour all the veterans and people who died.
DeleteJust an FYI relating to one of your pics- did you know there is someone (not me) who runs a "Pictures of Richard Nixon" feed on X?
ReplyDeleteI did not. That’d be a hoot to look for.
DeleteThis is Birgit and we have Remembrance Day on Nov the 11th, but, sadly, it’s not an official holiday. Many teachers teach the kids about this day and they must learn the great poem “In Flanders Fields” plus go to the ceremonies held at cenotaphs.
ReplyDeleteIt really has gone away from an official holiday here, too. Banks are closed, no mail, and discounts on breakfast. That's about it. Sad, actually.
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