Oh, another year to celebrate the brave soldiers, both young and old. This year will mark the 103rd year anniversary. Let’s thank those who have served and those who continue to serve every day by remembering the beginnings of this holiday.
1. Started as an end to WWI
The early 19th century marked the start of one of the bloodiest periods of war history. WWI was still underway but in 1919, “The Great War” or “the war to end all wars” officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles. 7 months prior, the Allies and Germany put into effect an armistice on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
“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…”
President Wilson, 1919
2. Its original name was Armistice Day
Armistice: temporary cessation of hostilities
President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day on June 1, 1954. The 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veteran's service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” Months later, he would create a proclamation that issued the 1st veterans day committee.
3. Veterans Day became an official holiday during the late 30s
Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and November 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938.
4. Major Difference between Veterans and Memorial Day
Both are holidays celebrating the great sacrifices American soldiers have endured protecting and representing the land of the free.
However, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans (living or dead) but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.
5. Arlington National Cemetery holds an annual memorial service
The cemetery is home to the graves of over 400,000 people, most of whom served in the military.
6. The holiday dates changed a few times over the year
The Uniform Holiday Bill was introduced in the late 60s. Public Law 90–363 (82 Stat. 250) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays. The government thought this would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Unfortunately for them, most states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.
Years later, on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94–97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11.
7. Educational Veterans Programs were introduced in the 00s
On Aug. 4, 2001, the United States Senate Resolution 143, designated the week of Nov. 11 through Nov. 17, 2001, as “National Veterans Awareness Week.” This was used as a way to teach young children more about veterans and their tributes to our ongoing freedoms. Thanks, Biden!
8. The lack of the apostrophe in Veterans is not a grammatical mistake
The reason for this is simple. Veterans Day is not a day that belongs to veterans, it is a day for honoring veterans directly in front of us right now. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, we cannot assign an apostrophe before the “s” in Veterans Day because that would indicate the holiday belongs to one single veteran, as in “Veteran’s Day.” We should start normalizing “Veterans” more.
9. Never celebrated on a Sunday
If November 11 falls on a Sunday, the federal holiday will generally be moved to the next day, Monday. If it’s on a Saturday, the holiday might become Friday or just remain on Saturday. Alternatively, if it’s on a weekend, many companies will provide their employees with a “floating holiday” so that they can choose when to take the day off.
Cool, right?
10. Current Statistics
- 11% of veterans are women.
- Of the 16 million Americans who served during World War II, about 240,000 were still alive as of 2021.
- As of 2021, the top three states with the highest percentage of Veterans were Alaska, Virginia, and Montana.
11. Quotes about Veterans
“Veterans know better than anyone else the price of freedom, for they’ve suffered the scars of war. We can offer them no better tribute than to protect what they have won for us.”
Former President, Ronald Reagan
“Whatever gains are secured, it is loss the veteran remembers most keenly. Only a fool or a fraud sentimentalizes the merciless reality of war.”
- Former Senator & Vice President, John McCain
“The nicest veterans…the kindest and funniest ones, the ones who hated war the most, were the ones who’d really fought.”
Author, Kurt Vonnegute
Well, that’s all the facts about this great holiday. If you have a vet in your family or friends with one, thank them for their service. Hope you have a good Veterans Day!
