Seth Kaller, Inc.

“I...do appoint and proclaim January 27, 1916, as a day upon which the people of the United States may make such contributions … for the aid of the stricken Jewish people.”

With this proclamation, President Woodrow Wilson responds to a Senate resolution calling for contributions to the American Red Cross to benefit the millions of “stricken Jewish people” in nations involved in World War I. The “Jewish Relief Day” campaign raised $2 million. Just over a year later, the United States entered World War I on the side of the Allies.

WOODROW WILSON. Printed Document Signed, Proclamation re “stricken Jewish people,” January 11, 1916, Washington, D.C. 1 p., 8 x 12.25 in.

Inventory #27810       Price: $25,000

Excerpt
“Whereas, I have received from the Senate of the United States a Resolution, passed January 6, 1916, reading as follows:

Whereas in the various countries now engaged in war there are nine millions of Jews, the great majority of whom are destitute of food, shelter, and clothing; and

Whereas millions of them have been driven from their homes without warning, deprived of an opportunity to make provision for their most elementary wants, causing starvation, disease and untold suffering....

Resolved, That, in view of the misery, wretchedness, and hardships which these nine millions of Jews are suffering, the President of the United States be respectfully asked to designate a day on which the citizens of this country may give expression to their sympathy by contributing to the funds now being raised for the relief of the Jews in the war zones.

And whereas, I feel confident that the people of the United States will be moved to aid the war-stricken people of a race which has given to the United States so many worthy citizens;

Now, therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States, in compliance with the suggestion of the Senate thereof, do appoint and proclaim January 27, 1916, as a day upon which the people of the United States may make such contributions as they feel disposed for the aid of the stricken Jewish people.”

Historical Background
Once President Wilson issued this proclamation on January 11, newspapers throughout the country published it. Local and state political leaders, including many governors, also issued their own statements or proclamations, encouraging citizens to contribute generously to the cause. Local rabbis sometimes served as collecting agents to forward contributions to the American Red Cross in Washington.

On February 17, 1916, representatives of the Central Committee for the Relief of Jews Suffering through the War, organized in October 1914, and the Women's Proclamation Day Committee visited the White House and presented President Wilson with a certificate commemorating Jewish Relief Day.

Condition: Expected folds; small stains near edges, not affecting text; fine. 

Thomas Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) was born in Staunton, Virginia, and graduated from the College of New Jersey (Princeton University) in 1879, attended the University of Virginia Law School, and received a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University in 1886. He taught at Bryn Mawr College, Wesleyan University, and Princeton University before serving as president of Princeton University and governor of New Jersey. Wilson won the presidential election of 1912, when William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt split the Republican vote. The first southerner elected president since Zachary Taylor, Wilson brought to the office a progressive zeal for economic and social reform, stressing individualism and states’ rights as opposed to Civil Rights. He led the United States into World War I, despite his vow to do otherwise. He helped negotiate the Treaty of Versailles ending the war, for which he was awarded the 1919 Nobel Peace Prize. Although he championed the League of Nations, Wilson could not obtain Senate approval for U.S. membership.