We The People: This Day in History, November 11
Waco’s Camp MacArthur WWI Training and Armistice Transition
Published: Nov. 11, 2025 at 7:50 AM CST
WACO, Texas (KWTX) - On November 11, 1918, the Armistice of 1918 was signed, ending the fighting in World War I between the Allied Powers and Germany.
This led to the military training camp in Waco known as Camp MacArthur to transition into a demobilization center following this armistice.
When the United States declared war on Germany in 1917, the U.S. needed more people to enlist in the armed services.
Cooperation between Waco businessmen and the federal government allowed construction to begin on a troop training complex later that year.
The site was named for Medal of Honor recipient Lieutenant General Arthur MacArthur.
18,000 troops arrived to begin their training in September of 1917.
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