Letters from an American November 11, 2025
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Nov 12, 2025 The podcast dives into the history of Armistice Day, marking its significance on November 11, 1918. It examines the differences between the armistice and the Treaty of Versailles, highlighting Woodrow Wilson's frustrations with U.S. isolationism. The conversation touches on the evolution of Armistice Day into Veterans Day and the importance of a rules-based international order. Contemporary threats to this order, including authoritarianism, are discussed, emphasizing the need for ongoing commitment to peace, as urged by leaders like Eisenhower.
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Armistice Day’s Origins And Wilson’s Vision
- Armistice Day marked the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month when guns fell silent in 1918.
- Woodrow Wilson framed it as a moment for America to promote peace and moral leadership abroad.
Wilson’s First Nationwide Radio Appeal
- Wilson used radio in 1923 for the first live nationwide presidential broadcast to urge renewed U.S. international engagement.
- He warned the nation against retreating into a 'sullen and selfish isolation' after the war.
From Isolation To A Rules-Based Order
- Congress resisted Wilson’s internationalism, honoring Armistice Day mainly as a day of thanksgiving and prayer instead.
- The eventual postwar institutions aimed to create a rules-based order to prevent future large-scale wars.