The History of Veterans Day
Contents
History of Veterans Day Begin
History of the Veterans Day all begins in June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside of Versailles, France, the World War I, commonly known as “The Great War.” was ended. However, all the fights were ceased seven months earlier by an armistice, or temporary stop of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into force on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. As a result, the 11th of November 1918 is often recognized as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
With the following remarks, President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11 as the first remembrance of Armistice Day:
“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given us,”
— President Wilson said in November 1919
The original concept for the celebration was for it to be a day filled with parades, public meetings, and a brief halt to business at 11:00 a.m.
In the 1920s – 1930s
On the second anniversary of the armistice, France and the United Kingdom honored the war’s unknown dead. On the advice of church groups, President Wilson selects the Sunday closest to Armistice Day as the day on which services for international peace should be held.
The creation of a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery is approved by Congress. November 11 is chosen for the date of the ceremony. On October 20, Congress announced November 11, 1921, a federal holiday in honor of all those who fought in the war. The ceremony went over without a hitch and was a huge success.
In 1926, The United States Congress passed a resolution instructing the President to issue an annual proclamation commemorating Armistice Day. During the 1920s and 1930s, most states made November 11 a legal holiday, and the President issued an annual proclamation on the federal level.
On May 13, 1938, Congress approved legislation designating November 11 as an official Federal holiday known as Armistice Day. Because states have the ability to declare their own holidays, the United States does not have any “official” national holidays. In reality, the Federal Government can only declare holidays for federal personnel and the District of Columbia. In practice, however, states nearly often follow the federal lead when it comes to holiday designation.
In 1950s
In addition to the soldiers of the First World Military, who are already commemorated on Armistice Day, World War II and the Korean War generate millions of more war veterans. President Eisenhower signed legislation altering the legal holiday’s name from Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day on June 1, 1954.
Few months later, on October 8, 1954, The very first Veterans Day Proclamation was signed by President Eisenhower, in which he said:
“On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting and enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain. I also direct the appropriate officials of the Government to arrange for the display of the flag of the United States on all public buildings on Veterans Day.”
— President Dwight D. Eisenhower
In the 1970s
The Monday Holiday Law was passed by Congress, which changed the date of Veteran’s Day to the fourth Monday in October. The law is scheduled to go into force in 1971.
When Veterans Day is celebrated on the fourth Monday of October 1971 in the United States, except for Mississippi and South Dakota, all states initially follow suit. It caused a lot of confusion, and as a result, other states moved their celebrations back to November 11 between 1972 and 1975.
On the basis of widespread public support, legislation was approved to move the Federal observance of Veteran’s Day back to November 11th. Forty-six states have either continued to honor November 11 or reverted back to the old date due to popular sentiment since the move to the fourth Monday in October. The law was supposed to go into force in 1978.
Veterans Day is observed every year on November 11th, regardless of the day of the week. The return of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the holiday’s historical significance but also helps to concentrate attention on the holiday’s fundamental purpose: to commemorate American veterans for their patriotism and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the country.
