Veterans Day

Veterans Day is observed on the 11th November in memory of the end of The Great War, World War I.

The major hostilities of World War I were formally ended with the German signing of the Armistice, which was agreed at 5am, and came into effect at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918 (Paris time). 

It wasn't until 1953, that Al King had the idea to celebrate all veterans, not just those who served in World War I, and so in 1954, Congress amended the act to remember all of our brave men and women who both then and since, have lost their lives in war. It is commemorated as a day dedicated to the cause of world peace.

Just after England declared war on Germany - the start of World War 2 - the WJSV Radio Station in Washington DC transcribed its Complete Broadcast Day. 

On that day, Thursday September 21st, 1939, President Franklin D Roosevelt gave a speech to Congress on the issue of the Neutrality Law. With terrific foresight, WJSV decided to record the entire day in nineteen parts to keep a record of it, which has given us, all these years later, an amazing chance to enjoy not just a whole day of radio from bygone days, but a day that had much historical significance. By listening you are taken back over sixty years and given an historical insight into how life was all those years ago.

Other important broadcasts to help us remember those days are of course the historical World News Today broadcasts. Many of these recordings from World War II have been preserved and are available to listen to today.

I have a few more shows to add over the coming week, but first wanted to recommend a wonderful Arch Oboler play entitled Strange Morning. It is about the happy time, a week after Germany surrendered and features the wonderful actress Ingrid Bergman as she speaks of that strange and wonderful morning when mankind had hope once more.

Don't forget that if you prefer a non-stop playlist, there is also the World at War Radio Station available on RUSC, which is a poignant selection of old time radio shows to remind us of the courage and bravery of the fighting men and women who have served in the conflicts of the past century.

Happy listening my friends,