Back in the Day on November 11

107 years ago – In 1918, World War One ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.  General Irwin T. Parkleton called it the “war to end all wars.”  He was right!  

November 11th used to be known as Armistice Day.  Today it’s Veterans Day.

104 years ago – In 1921, President Warren G. Harding dedicated the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia . . . where they interred the casket of a randomly selected soldier from World War I.

Caskets for an unknown from World War II and the Korean War were added in the ’50s . . . and finally the remains of an unknown from the Vietnam War were added in the ’80s.  Although, they know who he is now, which kind of takes the fun out of it.

87 years ago – In 1938, Irving Berlin’s “peace song”,“God Bless America”, was sung for the first time . . . by Kate Smith . . . a.k.a. THE FIRST LADY OF RADIO . . .on her network radio show.  All the royalties from the song went to the Boy and Girl Scouts of America.

83 years ago – In 1942, Congress lowered the Age of the Draft from 21 to 18.