Firing on the First World War’s Western Front ended on Nov.11, 1918 at “the eleven th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month.”
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum renews a tradition in Exposition Park that began in 1919 when Armi stice Day was officially recognized by President Wilson, cities across the country celebrated the end of the Great War. The Coliseum opened in July of 1923 and was dedicated as a memorial to Los Angeles County veterans. On No vember 11th, of that year, tens of thousands gathered to mark the fourth ye ar anniversary of Armistice Day and became the city's main area of observan ce of both Armistice and Memorial Day.
In 1954, after the return of v eterans from both World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day was rename d Veterans Day. President Eisenhower signed a bill encouraging Americans to commit themselves to the cause of peace, but not to forget to honor Americ a’s veterans for their courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice.
In 1 968, at the fiftieth anniversary of the war's end, in a ceremony headlined by speaker Air Ace Eddie Rickenbacker, the Coliseum again was re-dedicated to "all who served in the United States Armed Forces during World War I." This makes the stadium one of the only national memorials to the war in the country. City ceremonies continued at the stadium until the early 1970's.< /p>
We are now in the centennial years of the First World War. Under this spotlight, historic tributes return. We hope to do our part in reigniting the patriotic traditions that are the bedrock of the Memorial Coliseum’s he ritage, and to help pass on the stories of the brave men and women who have always defended our country and continue to do so.
Colis eum Historic Tours are now available to the public Tuesday – Saturday a nd on Veterans and Memorial Day, all veterans and active military will rece ive a free “behind the scenes” guided tour of the Coliseum as a thank you f or their service to our country.
Tours:
Free for Veterans and Activ e Duty Military (with ID verification).
For more information, please visit the Los Angeles C oliseum's website.
//Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum & Sports Arena393 9 S. Figueroa StreetLos Angeles, CA 90037// CONTACT:(213) 747-7111 DTSTAMP:20250521T004320 DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T160000 SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR