Category Archives: Veterans Day

Celebrating Veterans Day

Veterans Day gives Americans the opportunity to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of all U.S. veterans. However, many Americans confuse this holiday with Memorial Day.

Veterans Day was first known as Armistice Day. The holiday was established as a legal U.S. holiday to honor the end of World War I.  November 11, 1918 marked the end of WWI, but it was not until 1938 for legislation to be passed in recognition of the holiday.   Veterans Day was established as a U.S. Holiday on November 11th.

In 1954, the United States had been through two World Wars and the Korean War. At that time, Congress strongly recommended the veterans service organizations to amend the word “Armistice” to the word “Veterans”. Thus the holiday was known as Veterans Day. In the late 60’s the November 11th date was changed to ensure federal employees a three day weekend holiday. Thus, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday of October. This caused confusion and disagreement among those who believed the original November 11th date should be honored. So, in 1975, President Gerald Ford signed a law to return Veterans Day to the original date of November 11. Since then, it has been celebrated on November 11.

While Memorial Day honors service members who died in service to their country, deceased veterans are honored on Veterans Day. Veterans Day is set aside to thank and honor the living veterans who served honorably in the military, in both wartime and peacetime. This history is important so that we can honor our current and former service members appropriately.

Veterans Day is observed across the country with many different events. Special programs and honor ceremonies, parades, wreath laying ceremonies along with many private businesses offering special value promotions for veterans and their families.

 

Learn more are at: military.com, va.gov, defense.gov

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