Crowds gather on both sides of Main Street in Fort Worth Nov. 11, 1946, to watch the first Armistice Day parade after World War II. Two firetrucks can be seen behind marching troops passing the review stand at Hotel Texas.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections
Fort Worth puts on a show when honoring veterans, throwing parades that at times snaked more than a mile long during Armistice Day celebrations, even as World War II was being fought.
Digging into the archives of the Star-Telegram, we found these pictures showing parade crowds and military events right here in Cowtown.
Armistice Day Parade in downtown Fort Worth on Nov. 11, 1938, marked 20 years after the end of World War I. The parade grand marshall, Haywood Davis, is followed by the Texas Christian University band with Main Street and the Tarrant County Courthouse in the background. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections
Veterans of World War II on a float at the Fort Worth Armistice Day Parade Nov. 11, 1947, reenact Joe Rosenthal’s famous flag raising photograph. The Associated Press photographer captured the iconic image as Marines raised the American flag on top of Mount Suribachi after the Battle of Iwo Jima. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections
Veterans Day is a federal holiday that is celebrated each year on Nov. 11, honoring veterans who have served or are currently serving in the military. President Woodrow Wilson established “Armistice Day” to honor World War I veterans, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
World War veterans on the reviewing stand salute Gold Star mothers during the Armistice Day parade Nov. 11, 1939. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections
Fort Worth celebrated Armistice Day Nov. 11, 1946, with a mile-long parade of veterans of the two world wars. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections
It was made a federal holiday in the U.S. in 1938. After World War II and the Korean War, several veteran organizations made pleas to strike the word “Armistice,” which means a truce, from the name and call the Nov. 11 holiday simply, Veterans Day.
In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower granted them their wish and changed the holiday to Veterans Day. That is how the holiday has been celebrated ever since.
Three soldiers peer out of a train car in Fort Worth June 25, 1945, on their way to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. From left to right: Corporal Ted Schinwolf, Private First Class Willie Harmon and Private First Class Robert L. Comte. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections
Civilians enjoyed jeep rides at Farrington Field during Army Day celebrations in Fort Worth April 6, 1942. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections
A machine gun crew from D Company, 155th Infantry, 31st Division was a big draw at the Army Day celebration at Farrington Field in Fort Worth April 6, 1942. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections
This story was originally published November 9, 2022 at 8:33 AM.
