The History of Veteran's Day
Origins of Veteran's 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.”
1947
“To Honor Veterans of All Wars” Raymond Weeks of Birmingham, Alabama organized an Armistice Day parade for that city on November 11, 1947 to honor Veterans for their loyal service. Later, U.S. Representative Edward H. Rees of Kansas proposed legislation changing the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day – to honor all Veterans who have served America.
1954
In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11th as Veterans Day and called upon Americans everywhere to re-dedicate themselves to the cause of peace.
1968
In 1968, Congress moved Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October.
1978
It became apparent that the November 11th date – the end of World War I – was historically significant to many Americans. As a result, Congress formally returned the observance of Veterans Day to its traditional date in 1978.
2016
On October 7, 2016, President Obama signed the Veterans Day Moment of Silence Act. The law requires that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe a two-minute national moment of silence on Veterans Day at 3:11 p.m. Atlantic standard time, 2:11 p.m. Eastern standard time, 1:11 p.m. Central standard time, 12:11 p.m. Mountain standard time, 11:11 a.m. Pacific standard time, 10:11 a.m. Alaska standard time, and 9:11 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian standard time.
Arlington, VA - Present Day
The Veterans Day National Ceremony is held each year on November 11th at Arlington National Cemetery. At 11 a.m., a color guard made up of members from each branch of the military renders honors to America’s war dead during a tradition-rich ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.