One hundred years ago, Golden was preparing to celebrate the first anniversary of Armistice Day with a “parade, speeches, and general jollification to mark the first anniversary of peace.” The plan was to meet downtown at 7:30 for a parade, which would be followed by a bonfire, speeches, and patriotic songs, ending with a dance at the Armory. So said the November 6, 1919 Colorado Transcript.
The November 13th edition reported that the parade and bonfire had been canceled due to inclement weather, but the speeches, music, and dance went on as planned.
The “day” began at one minute after midnight, when bells around town rang. The boys who were in the trenches last year or overseas were the fellows who made the most of it and as one said, “Let me ring that bell awhile; no one is more glad to celebrate this day than I am. Last year at this time we were in the dugouts and we had orders to move in the morning. If the armistice hadn’t been signed when it was I’m afraid you would have had a long list of boys on that card above the Liberty Bell, who made the supreme sacrifice.“
The celebration of Armistice Day lost popularity after World War II. “The Great War” was supposed to have been “the war to end all wars.” The second World War showed that the promise of ending war had failed. In 1954, “Armistice Day” was renamed to “Veterans Day,” to honor all U.S. veterans.
Thanks to the Golden History Museum for their ongoing efforts to digitize our historic newspapers, and thanks to the Golden Transcript for documenting our history since 1866!
Veteran’s Day will be observed on Monday, but the celebrations start today.
Today 2-2:30PM Veteran’s Day Ceremony at the US Marine Corps Memorial
Grateful Bread is offering a 25% discount today for all veterans and active duty personnel. They are open Saturdays only from 10AM-2:30PM.
Sunday 2-3PM 244th Birthday of The United States Marine Corps & Fundraiser at Barrels & Bottles (the owner, Zach, is a Marine)
Monday
7-8AM Golden VFW Post 4171 will raise the flags in the Golden Cemetery
8AM Veterans’ Day Breakfast at Golden High School
3:30PM Veteran’s Day Happy Hour Colorado School of Mines Veterans Resource Center RSVP
The Table Mountain Inn is offering a complimentary meal for all veterans and active duty personnel on Veterans Day.
More Saturday Events:
2PM and 6PM Into the Woods at Golden High School
9AM-4PM Holiday Craft Fair/Bake Sale at the Golden Gate Grange
9AM-2PM Brunch at the Rose – menu | reservation
10AM-2PM Jeffco Open Space Nature Journal Club
7PM Mines Little Theater Arts Showcase
Music:
7PM Bill McKay at Buffalo Rose
7PM Dearling Duo at Buffalo Rose
7PM West Side Live! Presents the After Midnight Swing Band
7PM The Resonatorz at Dirty Dogs Roadhouse
7PM Tony Rosario at Smiley’s
8PM William Topley at Buffalo Rose
9PM Karaoke at Ace Hi- Tavern
Many thanks to two of my newest sponsors. Laurel Property Services, Inc. has been handling property sales, management, and rentals in Golden for more than 30 years. Golden West Airport Shuttle provides door-to-door transportation from the Golden area to Denver International Airport. Sponsors make this daily news blast possible, so please avail yourself of their services!
