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Veterans' Day, formerly called Armistice Day, is the day the United States commemorates the contributions of those who have served in its military. It falls on the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended the First World War. It is celebrated as a federal holiday on 11 November. All major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. Armistice Day was first commemorated in the United States by President Wilson in 1919, and many states made it a legal holiday. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 inviting all Americans to observe the day, and made it a legal holiday nationwide in 1938. The holiday has been observed annually on November 11 since that date - first as Armistice Day, later as Veterans' Day - except for a brief period when it was celebrated on the fourth Monday of October.
Although it is a federal holiday and most schools and government institutions are closed, very few businesses close and most delivery services other than the Post Office stay on regular schedules. As a result, most public transit systems are on regular schedules as well even though they are usually run by the local government. Most businesses claim that its occurring only two weeks from Thanksgiving (when most corporations close for a four-day weekend) as the main reason.
On November 11th, 1953, the citizens of Emporia, Kansas staged a Veterans' Day observence in lieu of an Armistice Day remembrance. Representative Ed Rees of Emporia, Kansas subsequently introduced legislation into the House of Representatives to officially change the name of Armistice Day to Veterans' Day *. Following a letter writing campaign to secure the support of all state governors in the observance of this new holiday, the name of the holiday was changed to Veterans' Day (enacted 1 June, 1954), to honor those who served in all American wars. The day has since evolved as a time for honoring living veterans who have served in the military during wartime or peacetime, partially to complement Memorial Day, which primarily honors the dead. There has been some discussion of whether a person's veteran status depends upon their retirement or discharge from any of the armed forces, however, the term applies to any that have honorably served their country for longer than their initial enlistment or that have served in a war zone as directed by their superior officers or as directed by lawful orders given by their country.
Veterans Day in other countries
Many nations within the Commonwealth of Nations observe a similar Remembrance Day on the same date, but it is actually closer in spirit to Memorial Day. New Zealand and Australia also observe Anzac Day on 25 April. Other Allies of World War I have similar observances on November 11.
Veteran's Day has been introduced in the United Kingdom commencing 27 June 2006.
See also
- Yom Hazikaron (Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day) in Israel
- Armed Forces Day
External links
"Veterans Day"