11/11/2024
In honor of Veterans, past, present, and future. Thank you!
Brief History of Veterans Day
November 11th, 1918 : A temporary armistice between Germany and the Allied nations went into effect, ceasing the "war to end all wars" which began on July 28th, 1914.
The official end to what we now know as World War I (WWI), occurred on June 28, 1919 with the Treaty of Versailles.
Veterans Day is observed each year on November 11th to preserve the historical significance of the date and to focus on the important contributions and sacrifices made by Veterans.
Quick Facts:
• In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first Commemoration of Armistice Day. The day was intended to have parades and public meetings, with business being suspended briefly at 11am.
• In 1926, the United States Congress recognized the end of WWI and encouraged people in the US to commemorate November 11th as a day to promote peace through good will and understanding between nations, and each other (27 of the 48 states had already declared the day to be a legal holiday)
• 1938, November 11th becomes a federal holiday dedicated to world peace, known as Armistice Day in honor of WWI Veterans.
• In 1954, after WWII (1939-1945) and the Korean War (1950 - 1953), Congress changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor American Veterans of all wars.
• In 1968, the Uniform Holiday Bill moved Veterans Day to ensure 3-day weekends for Federal employees. This went into effect for the first Veterans Day on October 25, 1971. It was poorly received and President Gerald Ford returned the celebration to November 11th beginning in 1978.
Source: https://department.va.gov/veterans-day/history-of-veterans-day/