bjgreenBy Betsy J. Green
We take it for granted that November 11 is Veterans Day, but it was a new concept back in 1918. The local paper proclaimed, “An International Holiday. The idea is of Santa Barbara origin. The Rotary Club of this city was first to suggest the appropriateness of making November 11 Liberty Day of the world. The Rotary Clubs of the United States and Canada endorsed the idea. Nothing could be more appropriate than that upon the anniversary of the day of peace each year, all the world should celebrate and give thanks.”
Now about a dozen countries around the world celebrate a holiday on November 11. The day is variously called Veterans Day, Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, or Remembrance Sunday. And this is where it all began.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE – On Sunday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m., I will be giving my presentation “Countdown to Armistice: Santa Barbara during the last 10 days of World War I” at the SB Central Library. No fee, no reservations.
