Veterans Day

Veterans Day began when The Armistice of 11 November 1918 ended fighting between the Allies and Germany during World War I, and went into effect at 11 a.m. on that day. This year marks 100 years since the end of WWI.

President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919 as the first Armistice Day, saying,

“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 and peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”.

Armistice Day — November 11th — was made a United States legal holiday in 1938, and was celebrated annually until 1954, when the observation was renamed Veterans Day. President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the United States government’s first Veterans Day proclamation. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has an archive of Veterans Day speeches.

An official U.S. public holiday, Veterans Day is meant to honor persons who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Other holidays honoring those who served or are serving include Memorial Day (observed annually on the last Monday of May), which honors those who died while in military service, and Armed Forces Day (observed annually on the third Saturday in May) which honors people currently serving in the military.

An official Veterans Day ceremony is held each year at Arlington National Cemetery, and includes a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns and a parade of colors by veterans’ organizations.

Thank you, Veterans. We appreciate your service. (EK)