On July 4, 1919, the town of Sandwich held a festive Independence Day celebration. With World War I over, the holiday became an opportunity to welcome home the local men who had served in the war.
This colorful poster from the Sandwich Historical Society's collection invites the town to “give our boys a royal reception and a good time!” It promised to be a full day of festivities, beginning with a parade at 10 a.m. and continuing with sports, baseball, a band concert, a boat carnival, fireworks, and a grand ball. The Salem Cadet Band provided music throughout the day and evening.
A July 9, 1919 article in the Sandwich Independent newspapers says the event was a “Red Letter Day” in the history of the town.
The celebration took place less than eight months after the armistice of November 11, 1918, brought an end to the fighting on the Western Front. A day to celebrate American independence also became a day of gratitude for the men returning from a devastating war.
Today, on Veterans Day, we remember all those who have served in the nation's armed forces. This poster reminds us that behind the larger history of America's wars are the experiences of individuals, families, and communities like Sandwich, whose lives were forever changed by them.
