Veteran's Day: A History

Every November 11, we Americans collectively honor our veterans for all that they do and all that they give up to keep us safe from enemies both foreign and domestic that would do us wrong. No matter what conflict they served in, all veterans are honored on Veteran’s Day.

    However, this is not so in most other parts of the world. There is a holiday celebrated on November 11 internationally. Unlike the United States though, this holiday is known internationally as Armistice Day, and it is celebrated to not only remember the end of World War I, but also to remember all the men, women, and even animals that lost their lives in that war. It used to be that way in the United States as well, but over time, Armistice Day morphed around to include veterans from all wars. So, just exactly how did this happen?

    World War I ended famously on November 11, 1919 on the 11th hour. This war brought down the Ottoman Empire, the German Empire, the Russian Empire, and took down many other economic structures of other nations. June 1926, Congress passed a resolution that the “recurring anniversary of [November 11, 1919] should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations.” Twenty-seven states had, by that time, made November 11 a legal holiday. Armistice Day became a legal, federal holiday on May 13, 1938.

    World War II saw the most active mobilization of American troops in the history of the country. More than sixteen million men and women fought in the war. In addition, around 5.7 million troops fought in the Korean War. Dwight D. Eisenhower, seeing just how dedicated the troops were during those conflicts, decided that their sacrifices should be acknowledged just as much as the sacrifices made by the troops in World War I. In 1954, after veterans lobbied for years, the 83rd Congress amended the 1938 act to strike the word “Armistice” and replace it with the word “Veterans.” President Eisenhower signed the legislation into law on June 1, 1954. 

    In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which sought to encourage three-day weekends and tourism during the federal holidays, such as Memorial Day and Columbus Day. The observation of Veterans Day was therefore moved to the fourth Monday in October. The first observation of the holiday under the new law happened in 1971, and it led to a great deal of confusion and anger among the American population. By 1975, it became apparent that November 11 held patriotic and sentimental value for many Americans. So, in 1978, President Ford signed a law into effect changing the observation date of Veteran’s Day back to the traditional date of November 11. If November 11 falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, the federal government observes the holiday on the previous Friday or following Monday.

    But no matter what day Veteran’s Day falls on, the effect is keenly felt. With Veteran’s Day, we as Americans thank veterans for all the things that veterans do for us. While Memorial Day pays honor to all the veterans that have passed away, Veteran’s Day is primarily observed to honor living veterans, though the dead are also honored. Arlington Cemetery lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. Whether it be in war or in peacetime, all veterans deserve recognition and respect, not just on this day, but every day. With this knowledge of the holiday, it hopefully shows just how important the day is.