STAUNTON, VIRGINIA—In recognition of President Woodrow Wilson’s involvement in the formation of Veterans Day, the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum is presenting a free Veterans Day program, open to the public, on Thursday, November 11, 2010, at 10:45 a.m. in the Dolores Lescure Center (the Museum Building). The ceremony will begin with a moment of silence to remember all veterans, followed by recognition of all veterans present. The program will include two presentations. First, Woodrow Wilson portrayer Judd Bankert will present excerpts of President Wilson’s announcement of the Armistice. Dr. Glyn Harper, Professor of War Studies at Massey University in New Zealand, will follow with a presentation about New Zealand’s participation in World War I, “New Zealand and the First World War in Unpublished Photographs.” In addition to the program, all veterans, active military members, and their families will receive free tours of the Presidential Library that day.
On November 11, 1918, President Wilson announced the armistice, or temporary halt of fighting in World War I, which took effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. The following year, he proclaimed that November 11 would forever be Armistice Day in the United States. The day evolved into Veterans Day, when all veterans are remembered and honored and on which, for years, the entire country observed a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. This year’s program will be on the 92nd anniversary of the Armistice.
Dr. Glyn Harper is an Associate Professor at Massey University and the Director of Massey University’s Centre for Defence Studies. A former teacher, he joined the Australian Army in 1988 and after eight years transferred to the New Zealand Army, where he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was the army’s official historian of the deployment to East Timor, and is the author of 16 books, many of which have achieved bestseller status.
Free admission to the Presidential Library for veterans and their families includes guided tours of President Wilson’s Birthplace and self-guided tours of the Woodrow Wilson Museum, which features the new World War I trench exhibit and President Wilson’s 1919 Pierce-Arrow limousine. Effective November 1, the Presidential Library’s visitor hours are Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., and Sunday from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Those interested in more information about the Veterans Day program or the free admission offer should contact Barbara Wimble, Manager of Visitor Services at the Presidential Library, at (540) 885-0897, ext. 106, or by email at bwimble@woodrowwilson.org.
did you know?
Wilson was president throughout World War I. He attempted to keep America out of the war and even won reelection with the slogan "He kept us out of war." Nonetheless, after the sinking of the Lusitania, continued run-ins with German submarines, and the release of the Zimmerman Telegram, America became involved. with the Lusitania, the continued harassment of American ships by German submarines, and the release of the Zimmerman Telegram meant that America joined the allies in April, 1917.
Woodrow Wilson was President when the 19th amendment was ratified in 1920 giving women the right to vote.
Wilson piloted the ship that brought America onto the world stage. He made the first steps of leading us out of isolationism, violating Washington's tenet of avoiding foreign entanglements.
He led America during World War I. His fervent hope was for the US to join a League of Nations, the precursor to the United Nations.
A Woodrow Wilson Quote: "Life does not consist in thinking, it consists in acting."
A Woodrow Wilson Quote: "The Constitution was not made to fit us like a straitjacket. In its elasticity lies its chief greatness."
A Woodrow Wilson Quote: "I believe in democracy because it releases the energies of every human being."
The Seventeenth Amendment was formally adopted on May 31, 1913. Wilson had been president for almost three months at the time. The amendment provided for the direct election of senators. Prior to its adoption, Senators were chosen by state legislatures.
Wilson was the first president to receive a PhD which he got in Political Science from Johns Hopkins University. He had received his undergraduate degree from the College of New Jersey, renamed Princeton University in 1896.
Woodrow Wilson could not read during the first decade of his life. Though undiagnosed, he may have suffered from a learning disability
Woodrow Wilson was known as "Tommy" until his college years.
Woodrow Wilson during his boyhood, helped establish the "Lightfoot Baseball Club" with his friends. Wilson played second base and was an avid sport fan throughout his adult life.
Woodrow Wilson was the first president to attend the Major League Baseball Fall Classic. He saw the debut of a young 20 year old pitcher by the name of George Herman "Babe" Ruth.
Woodrow Wilson was a graduate of Princeton University and Johns Hopkins University and the only president to hold an earned doctoral degree.
Woodrow Wilson image is on the $100,000 bill although it is no longer in circulation
Site designed and programmed by Bulldog Creative
Services www.bulldogcreative.com