Veterans Day History & Facts

Veterans Day is an annual holiday meant to honor individuals who have served in the armed forces. Originally, Veterans Day was named Armistice Day to commemorate the armistice reached on Nov. 11, 1918, that ended World War I. Veterans Day is one of two patriotic national holidays which is observed on the same day every year. The other one is Independence Day, July 4.

The Origins of Veterans Day

The first Veterans Day was observed on Nov. 11, 1919, to commemorate the one year anniversary of the signing of the armistice that brought an end to World War I. The day was known as Armistice Day. The first World War was known as "the war to end all wars" and many people believed that the peace agreement, or armistice, which was reached on Nov. 11 should be commemorated with a holiday so that people would never forget the great cost of the war.

Armistice Day and World War I veterans

In the years following the first Armistice Day, many citizens believed that Memorial Day was a national holiday already set aside for a day of celebrating and honoring veterans. Memorial Day is an American holiday to remember those citizens who have died in the fighting of wars. Armistice Day was to be a day in which the country would honor all soldiers who served in World War I. As of 1926, only 27 states had declared Nov. 11 a legal holiday to remember those who had served in the first world war.

New Wars with New Veterans

On June 4, 1926, Congress passed and sent a resolution to the president asking that Nov. 11 be declared an annual national holiday. More than 10 years passed, and on May 13, 1938, Congress finally declared Armistice Day a legal national holiday. Just one year later, war broke out in Europe and new soldiers were called on to fight for their country. In the years following World War II, Americans were called on to fight in Korea. By the mid-1950s, many veterans had served the country in battle but were not recognized by Armistice Day.

The First Veterans Day

Alvin J. King, the uncle of John Cooper, a soldier killed in World War II, approached his congressman, Edward J. Rees, and asked that Armistice Day be changed to a holiday that would honor all veterans from all wars. Congressman Rees did as asked and on June 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the law which renamed Armistice Day, Veterans Day. In 1968, Congress passed a bill which declared that all holidays, except New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, would be observed on the Monday nearest the original date of the holiday. Many Americans thought that the date of Veterans Day was much too important to be altered, and in 1975, Congress changed the law. Since 1978, Veterans Day has been held on Nov. 11.

Veterans Day Observances

The most famous of all Veterans Day observances is held at the tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. The observance is held at 11 a.m., the same time of the signing of the armistice to end World War I. The service includes two minutes of silence, and the president placing a wreath at the tomb. All Americans nationwide are encouraged to display the flag and recognize U.S. veterans with proper ceremony. Emporia, Kansas, the home of Alvin J. King, is home to one of the more famous Veterans Day ceremonies. On Oct. 31, 2003, Emporia was recognized by Congress as the "Founding City of the Veterans Day Holiday."

References

• Patriotic Holidays of the United States; Helene Henderson; 2006