Out Back Question of the Week—Answer

Today is Veterans Day.

But, the question is, what was it before it was Veterans Day?

ANSWER—From 1919 until 1954 it was known as Armistice Day, honoring those who fought in the Great War (World War I).

For bonus points, how does the number 11 play in this?

ANSWER—The Armistice that stopped the fighting in World War One went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918.  The war itself officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which then paved the way for World War Two.

And for even more points, why is the poppy the symbol of this day in so many places?

ANSWER—

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 - 1918)

And take up the quarrel others did. This poem was penned 3 May 1915 by a Canadian Army Surgeon, who had just seen a good friend die. Later in 1915 Professor Moina Michael (University of Georgia) published a response to "In Flanders Field," called "We Shall Keep the Faith." After the war she returned to University Teaching, but seeing the needs of returning veterans, initiated the idea in the US of selling red poppies to raise funds to help veterans.

You can find more on the poem here. You can find more on Professor Michael here.

Regards  —  Cliff