100th Anniversary of the Legion Is March 15!!!

Happy Birthday to Us!!!

Our organization was founded on March 15-17,1919, in the American Club in Paris, France, by members of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) after the conclusion of World War I.  Another centennial commemoration will mark the May 8-10, 1919,  St. Louis Caucus.   Then, we'll have another anniversary on September 16, 1919, when the American Legion was formally chartered by the United States Congress.

So, this year, we will have three times to observe the 100th anniversary.

That's a lot of time and a lot of history.

OTHER 1919 EVENTS IN LEGION HISTORY

It was at the St. Louis Caucus that the name "The American Legion" was adopted as the official name.  The draft preamble and constitution were approved.

On June 9, 1919, the National Executive Committee adopted the Legion emblem.

The American Legion Auxiliary was also formed in 1919.

November  10-12, 1919, the first Legion Convention was held in Minneapolis.  It was decided to locate the national headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, instead of Washington, D.C..

FIRST POST

The very first post of the American Legion was actually established before the organization on March 15, 1919, when the General John Joseph Pershing Post 1 was established in Washington, D.C., on March 7 and obtained its charter on March 19.  According to the Legion Centennial website it is called the Pioneer Post.  However, the name of that organization now appears to be the George Washington Post 1.

The Legion played a leading role in the drafting and passing of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, better known as the G.I. Bill.  In addition to organizing commemorative events, members provide assistance at VA hospitals and is politically involved in lobbying on behalf of veterans.

Also important, the Legion has always promoted Americanism.

From Wikipedia and the American Legion site.