Marquette’s World War I Victory Jubilee Arch is seen in July 1919. (Photo courtesy of the Marquette Regional History Center)

MARQUETTE — In October 1918 at the close of World War I, the Germans began their appeals to President Wilson for peace.

Terms were discussed and a rumor emerged that an agreement was reached. New York newspapers announced the end of the war on Nov. 7 and celebrations began before stopping later that day when they realized it was premature.

Finally, on Nov. 11, the Armistice, a temporary cessation of hostilities, was signed and went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The news reached the U.S. in the early morning. In Marquette, the AP news service contacted The Mining Journal which contacted the mayors of Negaunee, Ishpeming and Marquette at 2 a.m. They decided to spread the good news around 4 a.m. Newspaper boys got people out of bed with their cries of “Extra!”

Ishpeming was reported to have set the local record for the largest celebration. The bells of the fire hall and churches rang for hours. Men, women and children lined up for the privilege of ringing the fire hall bell.

Several hundred people formed a parade headed by the drum corps with noisemakers, the flags of the fraternal societies and a tin can brigade joining along. The railroad men kept the whistles blowing.

After the death of over 116,000 U.S. soldiers over 19 months, Americans were relieved to be finished with “The War to End all Wars.” The war officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, at the Palace of Versailles in France.

As soldiers and sailors began returning to their homes after being discharged, the Fourth of July 1919 became a homecoming celebration.

In Marquette, more than 200 soldiers and sailors marched down Fisher Street and up Front Street around 10 a.m.

At the top of the hill in front of the library, they stopped for a review and were met by a reception committee, including parents and wives. A Victory Arch awaited them at the corner of Ridge and Front streets, with girls scattering flowers in their path.

The marchers continued west along Ridge Street until they reached Longyear Field (at the end of the street), where they stopped for maneuvers which were shortened due to the weather.

The festivities continued with feasting in Baraga Hall. During the banquet, plans were made for the organization of the returning servicemembers and subsequent affiliation of the local group with the American Legion. The fireworks and civic parade were postponed until the following day due to rain.

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

In 1954, following World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day-Nov. 11-was officially changed to Veteran’s Day.