I do accept that the availablity of non-meat meals was very limited in the past, but that was because so few people were vegan or vegetarian. In the past when people ate out it was a treat so they treated themselves to a meat dish couldn't cook or afford to eat at home, so that is what was offered.
A member of my family is allergic to soya. A known allergen, but not that common. We often go into restaurants that will list on the menu which dishes are vegan, vegetarian or contain, or not, lactose or gluten because these are things people commonly enquire about, but not whether they contain soya. We, obviously always enquire and they let us know, but we understand why it is not listed on the menu. It is not often asked about.
Vegans and vegetarians arguing their ethical values is one thing and I have every respect for that, but going on about vegan and vegetarian food as if it was something unusual or different. It isn't. I love and have always loved vegetables, even as a child and I often chose and choose animal free dishes when eating out and have done so for a very long time, but I do not see that as choosing vegetarian or vegan dishes, merely choosing the dish on the menu I just fancy eating.