On this day of celebration, it is important to reflect on our Nation’s history and how Veterans Day was established. Here is a quick summary of important events that led to Veterans Day.
November 11, 1918
Cease fire begins between Allied nations and Germany during World War I (WWI).
June 28, 1919
Treaty of Versailles is signed between Allied Nations and Germany officially ending WWI.
November 1919
President Wilson proclaims that November 11th will be celebrated as “Armistice Day” each year to recognize the WWI cease fire that went into effect on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month (November 11, 1918).
Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France, wait for the end of hostilities. This photo was taken at 10:58 a.m., on November 11, 1918, two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect. Original caption and picture from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
June 4, 1926
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of WWI and passed a concurrent resolution recognizing November 11th as a day of celebration.
May 13, 1938
An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) was approved by Congress establishing 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.” This day was originally set aside to honor veterans of WWI.
June 1, 1954
Following WWII and the Korean War, the 83rd Congress amended the Act of 1938 to remove the word “Armistice” and replace it with the word “Veterans”. This made November 11th the official holiday to honor American veterans of all wars.
President Eisenhower signing HR7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day. From left: Alvin J. King, Wayne Richards, Arthur J. Connell, John T. Nation, Edward Rees, Richard L. Trombla, Howard W. Watts. Original caption and picture from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
October 8, 1954
President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day” proclamation and designated the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee.
June 28, 1968
The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed with intent to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays, including Veterans Day. The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971 (a Monday).
September 20, 1975
President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978.
Today, Veterans Day is observed on November 11th each year.
The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
The information contained in this post was curated from the United States Department of Veteran Affairs website. You can find the full details on the history of Veterans Day HERE.
