A joyous crowd gathers at El Paso High School Stadium to celebrate the end of World War I

November 11, 1918. EL PASO TIMES FILE PHOTOS

A Day of "Mad Revelry"

• Spontaneous Gathering: A joyous crowd of over 10,000 citizens spontaneously gathered at the El Paso High School Stadium after hearing the news.

• Parade and Ceremony: The celebration included a huge military parade downtown that took an hour to pass a given point. This was followed by an 11:30 a.m. ceremony at the high school stadium, which included:

o Four troops of the 5th Cavalry and the regimental band.

o Pledging Allegiance to the Flag and community singing of songs like the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "America."

o Prayers led by the Rev. Fuller A. Smith and patriotic speeches.

o A salute of 48 guns fired by the 82nd artillery.

• "Drunk with Excitement": The El Paso Times described the scene as "the maddest revelry El Paso has ever known." Women and girls "set the pace" by riding on motor

trucks and automobiles, "regardless of reckless display of silken hosiery."

• Noise and Ingenuity: The crowd around Liberty monument exploded in "all manners and methods conceivable to militant humanity." Boys on bicycles demonstrated "real ingenuity" with multiple noise-making devices like whistles, rattles, and tin cans dragging behind their machines.

• Nighttime Celebration: The festivities continued into the evening with a huge bonfire at the high school stadium, followed by dancing on Pioneer Plaza. The crowds gathered again at 8 p.m. and twice burned the Kaiser in effigy.

• Serious Side: Despite the revelry, the day also brought a sense of relief to "women war workers, who have been tireless in their efforts," and led bankers and businessmen to begin planning El Paso's role in reconstruction.

Trish Long may be reached at (915)546-6179 or tlong@elpasotimes.com.