March 15, 2024: After the end of the First World War, hundreds of thousands of U.S. troops were stranded in France as the U.S. Government organized ships for their return.
In February of 1919, orders were sent to 20 officers across France to meet in Paris on February 15th, 28 days prior to the founding of the Legion. Over the next 3 days, plans for the creation of a servicemen’s organization were presented, and over the next month, 2,000 soldiers were invited to a convention to be held on March 15th.
On March 15, 1919, U.S. veterans of the First World War gathered in Paris, France, for the creation of the American Legion. The Legion focused efforts in 1919 for the raise in monthly pay for soldiers suffering total disability from $30 per month to $80 per month ($1,460 of purchasing power in 2024) — a “living wage” at the time.
Scott Rasmussen is founder and president of the Rasmussen Media Group. He is a political analyst, author, public speaker, independent public opinion pollster and a columnist. Read Scott Rasmussen's Reports — More Here.
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