The History of Veterans Day
1918
World War I, then normally referred to simply as The
Great War (no one could imagine any war being greater!), ended with the
implementation of an armistice [temporary cessation of hostilities-in this case
until the final peace treaty, the infamous Treaty of Versailles, was signed in
1919] between the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of
November, 1918.
1919
November 11: President Wilson proclaims the first
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 the suspension of
business for a two minute period beginning at 11 A.M., with the day also marked
by parades and public mettings.
1920
On the second anniversary of the armistice, France
and the United Kingdom hold ceremonies honoring their unknown dead from the war.
In America, at the suggestion of church groups, President Wilson names the
Sunday nearest Armistice Day Sunday, on which should be held services in the
interest of international peace.
1921
Congress passes legislation approving the
establishment of a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
November 11 is chosen for the date of the ceremony. According on October 20,
Congress declares November 11, 1921 a legal Federal holiday to honor all those
who participated in the war. The ceremony was conducted with great success.
1926
Congress adopts a resolution directing the President
to issue an annual proclamation calling on the observance of Armistice Day.
Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, most states establish November 11 as a legal
holiday and at the Federal level, an annual proclamation is issued by the
President.
1938
Congress passes legislation on May 13 making November
11 a legal Federal holiday, Armistice Day. The United States has no 'actual'
national holidays because the states retain the right to designate their own
holidays. The Federal government can in fact only designate holidays for Federal
employees and for the District of Columbia. But in practice the states almost
always follow the Federal lead in designation of holidays.
1941- 1945
1950- 1953
1950- 1953
World War II and the Korean War create millions of
additional war veterans in addition to those of the First World War already
honored by Armistice Day.
1954
On June 1, President Eisenhower signs legislation
changing the name of the legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veteran's Day.
1968
Congress passes the Monday Holiday Law which
established the fourth Monday in October as the new date for the observance of
Veteran's Day. The law is to take effect in 1971.
1971-1975
The Federal observance of Veterans Day is held on the
fourth Monday of October. Initially all states follow suit except Mississippi
and South Dakota. Other states changed their observances back to November 11 as
follows: 1972- Louisiana and Wisconsin; 1974- Kentucky, Arkansas, Connecticut,
Georgia, Maine, South Carolina, West Virginia; 1975- California, Florida, Idaho,
Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma,
Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming
1975
Legislation passed to return the Federal observance
of Veteran's Day to November 11, based on popular support throughout the nation.
Since the change to the fourth Monday in October, 46 states had either continued
to commemorate November 11 or had reverted back to the original date based on
popular sentiment. The law was to take effect in 1978.
1978
Veteran's Day observance reverts to November 11.
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