The Great International Peace Pool

American servicemen, anticipating a coming Armistice, formed the tongue-in-check “Great International Peace Pool” on Sunday, Nov. 10, 1918. The short-lived lottery sold shares at a price of 50 francs to the lucky soldier who could correctly predict the date when the war would end. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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The Great International Peace Pool

Note: This item is currently in storage.

American servicemen, anticipating a coming Armistice, formed the tongue-in-check “Great International Peace Pool” on Sunday, Nov. 10, 1918. The short-lived lottery sold shares at a price of 50 francs to the lucky soldier who could correctly predict the date when the war would end. Unbeknownst to the gamblers, World War I would end only a day later on Monday, Nov. 11, 1918, at 11 a.m.

A winning share of the lottery was issued to Lt. Dache M. Reeves, an observer with the 7th Balloon Company at Tailly, France. This receipt entitled Reeves to claim a grand prize of 350 francs, approximately $1,200 today when adjusted for inflation.

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