Welcome to the Maine State Archives

This November, the Maine State Archives marks Veterans Day, a day meant to honor military veterans. November 11th was declared Veterans Day in 1954 by proclamation from Governor Burton Cross.  Prior to 1954, the day had been called Armistice Day and had originally been created from the  November 11, 1918 armistice signing, signaling an end of World War I and to honor those veterans.  After other military conflicts following World War I, this day was changed in the United States to recognize all veterans.

The image above shows a group of Canadian soldiers in Portland on Armistice Day 1919.  This month the Maine State Archives also opens our new World War I exhibit which will feature records from our collection highlighting Maine’s involvement in the war.