Veteran's Day Originally was Armistice Day

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month an armistice was reached and went into effect between the Allied nations and Germany. This was 7 months before World War I, known at the time as "The Great War" officially ended on June 28, 1919. The date of the temporary cessation of hostilities, the day the fighting stopped, November 11, 1918 is the preferred date to the end of "the war to end all wars".

President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day in November, 1919. He proclaimed "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..."

Originally the celebration was for a brief suspension of business beginning at the 11:00 a.m. hour on November 11. The observation would include parades and public meetings. Armistice Day would primarily be a day to honor veterans of World War I. However, "The Great War" turned out not to be "the war to end all wars", as the world saw war again with World War II, requiring the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen in the history of the United States. It was after American forces fought aggression in Korea, Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, struck the word "Armistice" and inserted "Veterans". On June 1, 1954, with legislation approval and President Eisenhower's signature, November 11th became a day to honor all American veterans of all wars.

In 1968, trying to ensure a three-day weekend for Federal employees by celebrating national holidays on Mondays, four national holidays were changed to Monday. It was thought that these long weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. However, this caused much confusion in the celebration of Veterans Day. The historic and patriotic significance of the date November 11 was of great significance to a great number of American citizens. In 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed the law which returned the yearly observance of Veterans Day to its original date, beginning in 1978.

Regardless of what day of the week it falls on, Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11. Veterans Day is a day of celebration, honoring American veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Thank you to all American Veterans!

http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp