Last week, the United States celebrated Veteran’s Day in honor of those who have served our nation. It wasn’t always known as Veteran’s Day, however. In 1918, when the Western Herald published the story below, the campus—and world—were celebrating Armistice Day, peace at the end of World War I. Armistice Day occurred on November 11, 1918 but it wasn’t until 1954 when the Holiday was officially renamed Veteran’s Day.
November 13, 1918
Western Participates in City’s Peace Observance
S.A.T.C. men make impressive spectacle in the monster parade.
From the moment the first whistle sounded in Kalamazoo announcing to the people of this city that at last the armistice agreements had been signed, until the close of the mass meeting which marked the end of this city’s celebration Monday night. Western State Normal’s S.A.T.C. men, and students and faculty generally were enthusiastic participants in the celebration of democracy’s triumph.
Before 3 o’clock Monday morning all of the S.A.T.C. had marched out of the barracks and were formed in line to parade the downtown streets, forming the only group of men under arms in the entire early morning parade. Never once did the men get out of their formation, but throughout the entire revelry gave evidence of their splendid discipline and fine military training.
When at 7:30 students appeared for classes they were excused from academic work for the entire day and were urged to participate in the general celebration. Tiny tots from the training school and on through the prep school and the Junior and Senior classes joined in the celebration. After morning mess, S.A.T.C. men were given leave for the day with exception of mess when they reported to the mess hall and received instructions for their part of the monster parade which featured the afternoon’s celebration.
Past issues of the Western Herald, such as the one featured above, are available from the WMU Archives and Regional History Collections at the Zhang Legacy Collections Center.
This Western Herald throwback story was posted as part of the celebration leading up to the 100th birthday of the Western Herald. Help us mark this significant milestone by sharing your memories:
- Did you write for the Herald? Tell us about a story you wrote and we'll find it to post here.
- Did you read the Herald? Tell us about the major news events you read about.
- Are you interested in writing a feature piece about your experience with the Herald?
Email Storyteller@mywmu.com with your submission and/or interest.