History of Veterans Day

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

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

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…"

The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and

Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and

Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 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." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."

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 

On that same day, President Eisenhower sent a letter to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs (VA), designating him as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee.

In 1958, the White House advised VA's General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee's chairman.

The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.

The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 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. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. 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.

 

 

(Posting a couple of days early on this subject.  But it will come up quite quickly this week.)

 

 

 

Weblink source for this information

https://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

 

 

 

 

Thanks

As a child in school, every November 11 at 11 am (before lunch) we stood for a moment of silence to remember these brave folks who put their lives on the line for our freedom.  By 1968, I was in the Navy and becoming a veteran and a veteran of a foreign war.  After I went to work for DOD, it became a holiday.  I didn't feel like a veteran of a war that was so hated and folks did not like us who had done our time in the war of Vietnam.  But, I do try to fly my flag on that day and I wear my veteran hat.  Thanks for this thread.  

For my fellow brothers and sisters in arms. Thank you!

 

+1...Some couldn't even speak or read English, but they had a job to do.  We sent some to school to learn English.  They had to be taught their correct structure of their native tongue before going into English, but I thank them in that they also made the commitment to put their lives in danger for us and our country.  I need to go to the wall tomorrow to see if Lt. Albert Jones name is on the wall.  

Nice poem from a 14 year old

 

Amazing poem.  Congratulations to him.  And, thanks. It is more than some of our leadership who can't understand putting your life on the line for your country.  I think bringing back the draft would be a great thing.  Everyone drafted would get the discipline, comradery, and some training in life and would be ready to serve with a minimum of upgrade training.  Just my opinion.  

7 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

I think bringing back the draft would be a great thing.  Everyone drafted would get the discipline, comradery, and some training in life and would be ready to serve with a minimum of upgrade training.  Just my opinion. 

Just as you describe, President Truman advocated for Universal Military Training.  

I'm all for a compulsory 2 years of paid service. Corps of engineers, military, forestry...etc.

I fully agree, Gene.  Maybe we can rid this nation of an “entitlement” gene.

2 hours ago, Ron Dudelston said:

I fully agree, Gene.  Maybe we can rid this nation of an “entitlement” gene.

Ron, it wouldn't be 100% but I hope much less than now.  I know of folks who have served in the military and they think that they should be taken care of for life.  I don't know where they get that idea.  We have a young ex-Marine who goes to school part time, drives around some, lives in the woods and thinks we all owe him something.  My brother-in-law served for 2 years at Fort Campbell and worked little odd jobs part time.  He never wanted to work.  He complains about folks who want entitlements, but he collects a little Social Security check and goes to the VA.  He even expects the VA in Atlanta to come pick him up and provide him free meals.  Where do these ideas come from?  Who knows?  I never thought anyone owed me a living.  All I ever sought was a chance to get in there, learn and do the work.  Still do.  Speaking of that, it's time to turn another rolling pin and start repairs on a chair.  LOL