The idea for the American Legion began with Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., who was an officer in the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). He was concerned about what would happen to the soldiers once they went home after the fighting was over. It was envisioned that the Legion would take in all members of the armed forces, irregardless of branch, rank, race, or sex, and irregardless of whether or not they saw combat. It was also hoped that the Legion would remain non-political. Throughout 1919 the Legion gathered members and publicized itself.
Veterans in Wisconsin began to organize Legion posts very early, and Post 57 was one of the earliest. Organizational meetings were held in the Adjutant General's Office in the State Capitol in the summer of 1919, and on September 12, 1919, the William B. Cairns Post 57 of the American Legion was organized by charter, named after the first Madison soldier killed during the First World War. In September 1951 the predominantly First World War-era Post 57 merged with the predominantly World War II-era Victory Post 438 to form the William B. Cairns Victory Post 57 of the American Legion.
La Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux (40/8), which roughly translated means the Society of the 40 Men and 8 Horses, got its start in 1922 as an honorary society within the American Legion. The name refers to the capacity stenciled on the French box cars used to transport American troops in the First World War: 40 men or 8 horses. It is a small, by-invitation-only honorary society dedicated to fun, fellowship, and charitable works. The terminology, costumes, and hijinks of the 40/8 revolve around French and railroad themes. Among the most notable members of the 40/8 was Former President Harry S. Truman.
