Proclamation—Armistice Day

Whereas, the Congress of the United States, by a concurrent resolution adopted on the fourth day of March last, authorized the Secretary of War to cause to be brought to the United States the body of an American, who was a member of the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe, who lost his life during the World War and whose identity has not been established, for burial in the Memorial Amphitheatre of the National Cemetery at Arlington, Virginia;

And whereas, the remains of this unknown American to be brought to the United States, in pursuance of the said concurrent. resolution, will be buried in the said Memorial Amphitheatre at Arlington on the eleventh day of November next;

And whereas, these remains will be representative of all unidentified American dead who in the World War gave their lives in their country's cause;

And whereas, it is desired that grateful recognition of their loyal devotion to country and of their sacrifice should be appropriately shown with due solemnity by their God-fearing and patriotic fellow countrymen:

Now, Therefore, I, Warren G. Harding, President of the United States of America, do hereby call upon all devout and patriotic citizens of the United States to pause from their accustomed occupations and labors on Friday the eleventh day of November next from twelve o'clock noon to two minutes past that hour for a period of silent prayer of thanks to the Giver of all good for these valuable and valorous lives *and of supplication for His Divine mercy and for His blessings upon our beloved country.

Furthermore, I hereby direct that the National Flag be displayed at half staff upon all the public buildings of the United States and all stations of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps throughout the world, as well as upon all American embassies, legations and consulates, from sunrise until sunset, on November the eleventh, 1921.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done in the City of Washington this thirtieth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and twenty-one and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and forty-sixth.

WARREN G. HARDING

By the President:
CHARLES E. HUGHES, Secretary of State.