Armistice parade Nov. 11, 1918
Title
Armistice parade Nov. 11, 1918
Description
5 photos in this file
The article in the incorrectly dated November 7, 1918 Woodstock Sentinel tells the story of the spontaneous celebration when the news of the Armistice in Europe was announced on November 11, 1918. These 5 photos, taken from a window on Cass street and showing Benton street and the corner of Square park, show the parade that is described in the article:
The Woodstock Sentinel
VOLUME SIXTY-THREE WOODSTOCK, McHENRY COUNTY ILLINOIS, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7*, 1918 NUMBER NINETEEN
WOODSTOCK GOES WILD WITH JOY
WHISTLES BLOW, BANDS PLAY, CROWDS CARRY FLAGS, PARADE WHEN PEACE NEWS COMES GERMANY SIGNS ALLIES’ TERMS
German peace envoys enter Allies’ line under white flag
At the time of going: to press (6 o’clock) it was still impossible to positively verify the report of Germany's capitulation. Reliable sources of information only say, “Nothing official.’’
According to reports received from various sources this afternoon the great world war came to an end today. At noon German armistice envoys had entered the French lines under a flag of truce and had accepted all of the terms laid down by Marshal Foch, the chief representative of the Allies. The four German delegates, two representing the army and two the navy, crossed the German border, passing along a road designated by Marshal Foch in wireless instructions to the German command.
Information as to the details of this most happy ending of the stupendous conflict which has rocked the world for four years past has been slow in coming through. In fact, the authenticity of the entire report has been difficult to establish.
The wires were burning up with the glad tidings that Germany had accepted terms of the Allies for an armistice, shortly after noon today. Although the messages seemed to come from a good source, people shook their heads in doubt, seemingly afraid that there was some mistake and fearing the terrible disappointment which would follow a demonstration or celebration of the big event which the whole world has hoped for, prayed for and a large proportion has fought for.
After waiting a few minutes for more news their enthusiasm became boundless and as the time flew by, work ceased in the shops, the whistles were turned loose and the members of the hand ran for their instruments. The crowds kept gaining in number until the streets of Woodstock looked like State street in Chicago on an exceptionally busy day.
Noise of every available kind could be heard, men, women and children yelling with all their might. Parades were organized and everyone seemed to have found an American flag somewhere.
The pupils in the schools soon became unmanageable and were told to put away their books and join in the celebration.
The Sentinel was just making everything ready to go to press when the news came in, the forms were remodeled and not desiring to hold up the joyful report from the public longer than to be sure of its authenticity, we are giving but a brief account of the doings in old Woodstock on this glorious gala day.
WOODSTOCK CELEBRATES
(Continued from Page 1) Phone bells began to jingle and the glad tidings were spread that the armistice had been signed.
Quickly donning street clothes, not even stopping to think of breakfast, they made their way to the downtown district to join in celebrating the great dawn of peace. Grabbing anything that would make a noise, they started the grand march through the streets of the city. Like the proverbial snowball, every move meant an addition to the ranks and by the time daylight broke through the eastern horizon a small army was gathered together.
The Weldon band was soon on the job to assist and at a few minutes past 7 o’clock on that never to be forgotten morning of the 11th of November, 1918. Woodstock was witnessing and joining in the celebration of the birth of a real world democracy. The people gave full vent to their enthusiasm this time because they knew there was
The article in the incorrectly dated November 7, 1918 Woodstock Sentinel tells the story of the spontaneous celebration when the news of the Armistice in Europe was announced on November 11, 1918. These 5 photos, taken from a window on Cass street and showing Benton street and the corner of Square park, show the parade that is described in the article:
The Woodstock Sentinel
VOLUME SIXTY-THREE WOODSTOCK, McHENRY COUNTY ILLINOIS, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7*, 1918 NUMBER NINETEEN
WOODSTOCK GOES WILD WITH JOY
WHISTLES BLOW, BANDS PLAY, CROWDS CARRY FLAGS, PARADE WHEN PEACE NEWS COMES GERMANY SIGNS ALLIES’ TERMS
German peace envoys enter Allies’ line under white flag
At the time of going: to press (6 o’clock) it was still impossible to positively verify the report of Germany's capitulation. Reliable sources of information only say, “Nothing official.’’
According to reports received from various sources this afternoon the great world war came to an end today. At noon German armistice envoys had entered the French lines under a flag of truce and had accepted all of the terms laid down by Marshal Foch, the chief representative of the Allies. The four German delegates, two representing the army and two the navy, crossed the German border, passing along a road designated by Marshal Foch in wireless instructions to the German command.
Information as to the details of this most happy ending of the stupendous conflict which has rocked the world for four years past has been slow in coming through. In fact, the authenticity of the entire report has been difficult to establish.
The wires were burning up with the glad tidings that Germany had accepted terms of the Allies for an armistice, shortly after noon today. Although the messages seemed to come from a good source, people shook their heads in doubt, seemingly afraid that there was some mistake and fearing the terrible disappointment which would follow a demonstration or celebration of the big event which the whole world has hoped for, prayed for and a large proportion has fought for.
After waiting a few minutes for more news their enthusiasm became boundless and as the time flew by, work ceased in the shops, the whistles were turned loose and the members of the hand ran for their instruments. The crowds kept gaining in number until the streets of Woodstock looked like State street in Chicago on an exceptionally busy day.
Noise of every available kind could be heard, men, women and children yelling with all their might. Parades were organized and everyone seemed to have found an American flag somewhere.
The pupils in the schools soon became unmanageable and were told to put away their books and join in the celebration.
The Sentinel was just making everything ready to go to press when the news came in, the forms were remodeled and not desiring to hold up the joyful report from the public longer than to be sure of its authenticity, we are giving but a brief account of the doings in old Woodstock on this glorious gala day.
WOODSTOCK CELEBRATES
(Continued from Page 1) Phone bells began to jingle and the glad tidings were spread that the armistice had been signed.
Quickly donning street clothes, not even stopping to think of breakfast, they made their way to the downtown district to join in celebrating the great dawn of peace. Grabbing anything that would make a noise, they started the grand march through the streets of the city. Like the proverbial snowball, every move meant an addition to the ranks and by the time daylight broke through the eastern horizon a small army was gathered together.
The Weldon band was soon on the job to assist and at a few minutes past 7 o’clock on that never to be forgotten morning of the 11th of November, 1918. Woodstock was witnessing and joining in the celebration of the birth of a real world democracy. The people gave full vent to their enthusiasm this time because they knew there was
Creator
Date
1918
Collection
Citation
Medlar Studios, Woodstock, “Armistice parade Nov. 11, 1918,” Woodstock Public Library Archives, accessed July 18, 2026, https://woodstockpubliclibraryarchives.omeka.net/items/show/56.
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