Veterans Day: Resources and Facts About Veterans Day
What is Veterans Day?
Veterans Day is a national, federal holiday that is used to honor all veterans of the United States military who served their country during war time or during peace. Rich with history, Veterans Day has undergone many changes since its inception, including the change from being called Armistice Day to the current name of Veterans Day.
Though Veterans Day is a federal holiday, the states actually determine how and when the holiday is observed. All 50 states within the United States of America follow the the federal holiday observance. Banks, U.S. Post Office, some schools, and local government buildings are typically closed to observe the holiday.
When Do We Celebrate Veterans Day?
Celebrated on November 11 of each year, Veterans Day is a federal holiday which celebrates and honors veterans of the United States Military.
Why Do We Celebrate Veterans Day?
In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice, or a temporary ceasing of war hostilities was declared between the Allied nations and Germany during the First World War. The holiday is celebrated each year in honor of all those who participated in the war.
Who Started Veterans Day?
Even though the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, November 11 of the preceding year was remembered by everyone as the date that marked the end of the First World War, otherwise known at the time as “the Great War.”
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “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 America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
On June 24, 1926, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution that the “recurring anniversary of November 11, 1918 should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations.” The resolution also called for the president to issue an annual proclamation of the observance of Armistice Day.
In 1926, 27 states had already adopted November 11 as a legal holiday. On May 13, 1938, November 11 became a legal Federal holiday “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.’”
How Did Armistice Day Become Veterans Day?
World War Two (1941 – 1945) saw the greatest mobilization of United States troops in the nation’s history, with more than 16 million people. Approximately 5.7 million more served in the Korean War (1950 – 1953). The 83rd U.S. Congress, in 1954, amended the 1938 act that made Armistice Day a holiday to use the word “Veterans” instead of “Armistice.” President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the legislation on June 1, 1954, and the holiday was henceforth renamed “Veterans Day.” This change was largely pushed for by veterans’ groups throughout the country who felt that all those who served their country should have the honor of Veterans Day.
Other Changes in Veterans Day History
In 1968, Congress passed a bill called the Uniform Holidays Bill. This bill sought to ensure that federal employees would have three-day weekends by celebrating four nations holidays, including Veterans Day. The other holidays in the bill are Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, and Columbus Day.
Under this bill, the observation of Veterans Day was set as the fourth Monday in October. However, the first observation of this new law on Monday, October 25, 1971, caused mass confusion. Many states disapproved of this change and continued to observe the original date of Veterans Day, November 11, as the holiday instead.
The significance of the holiday for so many Americans led President Gerald R. Ford to sign a new law in 1975 that returned Veterans Day to November 11, beginning again in 1978. If the November 11 day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal government observes the holiday on the preceding Friday or the following Monday, respectively.
How is Veterans Day Celebrated in the United States?
Many federal businesses, such as the U.S. Post Office and many banks, as well as local government offices will be closed in observation of the Veterans Day holiday. Many schools hold their own Veterans Day celebration within the context of their lessons, as well. Local communities often hold parades and other celebrations honoring the veterans within their immediate locale.
On a national level, there is an official wreath-laying ceremony held each Veterans Day at Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs advises that many people misunderstand the reasoning behind Veterans Day with the holiday of Memorial Day. Memorial Day honors though who died in service to their country, while Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans, living or dead. However, it pays special attention to those who are living and served their country during war or peace.
Veterans Day Celebrations Around the World
Other countries, including Britain, France, Australia, and Canada also commemorate the veterans World Wars I and II on or near the same November 11 date. Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain celebrates with Remembrance Sunday, on the second Sunday of November. In Europe, Britain and the Commonwealth countries it is common to will observe silence for two minutes at 11 a.m. every November 11.
Resources About Veterans Day
History of Veterans Day by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Teacher’s Resource Guide
Veterans Day Information, Pictures and Articles
Annalise Kaylor is a freelance writer, editor, and consultant specializing in search engine optimized content for the web. As a writer, her work has appeared across the United States in print ads for Whirlpool, Maytag, Home Depot, and Lowe's, among others. As a consultant, she has worked primarily in the education sector, helping universities increase their web visibility and construct and implement social media strategy. Annalise is an avid reader, knitter, organic gardener and baker, as well as the author of the popular baking blog, Knead To Be Loaved. Annalise enjoys fly fishing, camping, and hiking.
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