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This Friday, November 10, 2023, we commemorate the 100th anniversary of a historic event. On the eve of Armistice Day – now known as Veterans Day – in 1923, former President Woodrow Wilson made a pioneering live radio broadcast. Speaking from his post-presidential home, where he had resided since the conclusion of his second term in 1921, Wilson addressed the nation. In this poignant four-minute Armistice Day speech, the 28th president thanked his fellow Americans for their noble sacrifices during World War I. He also shared his deep regret over his inability to persuade the country to embrace his vision for global peace through the formation of the League of Nations.
Wilson admitted that his memories of the victory in 1918 would be "forever marred and embittered for us by the shameful fact that . . . we turned our backs on our associates and refused to bear any responsible part in the administration of peace."
The former president delivered his speech from the library in his house, which is now the site of the President Woodrow Wilson House museum. It required an entire day to install the then cutting-edge broadcasting equipment necessary for two historic firsts: the first live presidential radio speech and the first live radio broadcast in the United States. Today, a WCAP microphone, representative of that significant event, is on display in the library to commemorate the occasion.
We invite you to come to the museum during this holiday weekend (November 11) to hear President Wilson's speech echo throughout the library.
The Woodrow Wilson House salutes and thanks all of our brave service members this Veterans Day.
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