93-11-10 U.Va. Library Exhibit Honors 75th Anniversary of Armistice Day

U.VA. LIBRARY EXHIBIT HONORS 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMISTICE DAY

     CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Nov. 10 -- Armistice Day an American
holiday?  If you were born after World War II ended, you probably
haven't heard of Armistice Day.  It was a major national holiday
celebrated from Nov. 11, 1919 until 1953, when its name changed to
Veteran's Day to honor all veterans, not just those from World War
I.  The original holiday hallowed the end of fighting in World War
I, known at the time as the Great War.
     The University of Virginia Library will observe the 75th
anniversary of Armistice Day with an exhibition that presents
material about the end of fighting in World War I and the
conclusion of America's involvement in Europe.  The material will
be on display from Nov. 11 through Feb. 28 at Alderman Library's
McGregor Room and Stettinius Gallery.  Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
     The exhibit also honors the Joseph M. Bruccoli Great War
Collection, the library's major collection of books, posters, sheet
music, soldiers' letters, memorabilia and photographs from World
War I.  The collection has been built over many years by Matthew J.
Bruccoli, an English professor at the University of South Carolina
and president of Bruccoli Clark Layman, Inc. publishing firm.  The
collection is named for Bruccoli's late father, a veteran of World
War I.
     The display includes material about the involvement of U.Va.
in the Great War.  The University and Charlottesville community
raised funds and purchases two ambulances.  University students and
alumni served in two ambulance units that won many honors.  Base
Hospital 42 was originally staffed with doctors and nurses from
U.Va. hospital.  Men and women from the University served abroad in
the military, Red Cross, YMCA and other units.  Memorabilia of Paul
Rogers McConnell, a University alumnus killed in action while
flying as a member of the Lafayette Escadrille, is also presented. 
A statue of a winged man launching into flight stands between
Alderman and Clemons libraries at the University and honors
McConnell's memory.
     Other features of the exhibit are colorful posters used by the
government to urge people to enlist, to contribute to war loan
drives and to conserve food, sheet music that reflects the
patriotism, sadness and humor found in the war, and motion picture
material that highlights aviation's first role in war.
     The exhibit will remind those seeing it of the first worldwide
conflict of the 20th century and its effects on Americans and will
expose viewers to the times and emotions of the Great War.
                               ###
                                                 November 9, 1993
     FOR MORE INFORMATION about the exhibit, contact Edmund
Berkeley, director of special collections at Alderman Library, at
(804) 924-3025.

 
Karen Castle, Office Services Specialist, University News Office
P.O. Box 9018, Booker House, Charlottesville, VA  22906
(804) 924-7116, kac@virginia.edu

[Submitted by: Karen A. Castle  (kac@uva.pcmail.virginia.edu)
               Wed, 10 Nov 93 10:09:39 EST]