 |
| From the Karl Dietrich Papers at the State Historical Society of Missouri |
Ninety four years ago today, the Allied Nations and Germany
agreed to an armistice, invoking a cessation of hostilities. After millions of casualties and four years of fighting, the most savage, far reaching, and technologically advanced war that
the world had ever seen was finally at an end. Celebrations broke out worldwide, and "Armistice Day" became a national holiday.
In November of 1919, President Wilson proclaimed "To us in America, the
reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the
heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude
for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us
and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy
with peace and justice in the councils of the nations..."
Celebrations for the end of the war were enthusiastic in America and overseas. Karl Dietrich, a Missourian who had been working as a business secretary in France for the YMCA, described Armistice celebrations in Paris in his diary:
"No mortal tongue will ever be able to describe the scenes on the streets of Paris that memorable day and night and the following three or four days. I shall always remember the terrific roar from the millions of throats that went up when the lights on the streets of the city flashed on at 5:00 pm for the first time in over four long years. Nobody in Paris I think slept that night. All through it the multitudes thronged the streets shouting, singing and yelling like demons turned loose, cannons roared, bells rang, whistles blew till it almost seemed no greater confusion of happiness could be possible. I shall never forget the lights on the tops of the Eiffel tower. There, 1000 feet in the hazy air flying in the breeze were three great flags, those of France, England, America. Great search lights were thrown upon them and they flaunted and flung defiance in the face of the enemy. The sacrifice I made to come to France was all forgotten in these festival days following the signing of the Armistice.”
In 1938, the United States declared November 11th a legal holiday dedicated to the cause of world peace and to honor the veterans of World War I. After World War II, however, it became necessary to change Armistice Day to Veteran's Day, which now honors all of our nation's war veterans.
The project staff at Missouri Over There would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all of those, past and present, who have taken oaths to this country and worn a uniform. America would not be what it is today without the sacrifices made by our country's brave veterans.
Sources
The project staff at Missouri Over There would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all of those, past and present, who have taken oaths to this country and worn a uniform. America would not be what it is today without the sacrifices made by our country's brave veterans.
Sources
Dietrich, Karl D., Papers, 1917-1918, (C2581) at the State Historical Society of Missouri.
