`Mayoral Proclamation of Armistice Day', November 7, 1919, Office of the Mayor of Chicago, City Council Collection, Illinois State Archive, Northeast Illinois University, Chicago, Illinois

transcription/facsimile official proclamation

City of Chicago

Office of the Mayor

PROCLAMATION

November 7, 1919

WHEREAS, November 11 will be the first anniversary of the signing of the armistice which brought an end to the most terrible war in all history and which had literally drenched Europe in blood in the awful days from August 1st, 1914, to November 11, 1918, and :

WHEREAS, since the signing of the armistice, our American boys who were conscripted to fight on the battlefields of Europe have nearly all returned to the bosoms of their families and to their loved ones over here, and have been relieved from the bloody business of war, so they may take up again the honorable conquests of peace;

THEREFORE, I, Wm. Hale Thompson, Mayor of Chicago, hereby designate Tuesday, November 11th, 1919, as Armistice Day in order that our people may fittingly celebrate the termination of the war which afflicted civilization; that we may pause to pay grateful tribute to the memory of those who lost their lives in the contest; that we may suitably demonstrate our welcome of those who returned, that we may show tender consideration for those who are now sick or disabled as a result of their service in the Army or Navy; and that we may invoke the God of nations to bless us and our posterity with uninterrupted peace and prosperity; and I request our citizens to observe generally the following special suggestions for appropriate demonstrations.

1. That all business houses and homes display the National colors,

2. That all business and transportation cease for one minute at 11 A. M. and all citizens render silent homage to the memory of the soldiers, sailors, and marines whose lives were sacrificed in the war;

3. That suitable recognition of the day be observed by schools, clubs and fraternities and that all churches prepare for the appropriate celebration of the anniversary of the armistice in their services on Sunday, November 5th:

4. That special honour and attention be shown to all men now convalescing in our Army and Navy Hospitals, and to all those who are now sick or disabled as a result of their service for their country.

(Signature)

Mayor