National Affairs: Defense Day

In 1924, the War Department announced that a defense test would be held on Sept. 12 of that year (anniversary of the battle of St. Mihiel). Onetime (1923-25) Governor Charles W. Bryan of Nebraska, then Democratic candidate for Vice President, protested against the idea of a nation-wide defense test as militaristic. For a while it looked like an issue. But the test was held throughout the country, except in Wisconsin.

In 1925 the Department started to hold another defense test on Armistice Day, but churches and other organizations protested that a peace day should not be given over to preparing against possible...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!