Veterans Day - History
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.”
Soldiers
of the 353rd Infantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France, wait for the
end of hostilities. This photo was taken at 10:58 a.m., on November 11,
1918, two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect.
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed
November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following
words: "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…"
The original concept for the celebration was
for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of
business beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The United States Congress officially
recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on
June 4, 1926, with these words:
Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the
most destructive, sanguinary, and far-reaching war in human annals and the
resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other
nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date
should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to
perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations;
and
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have
already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by
the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the
United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials
to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on
November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in
schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of
friendly relations with all other peoples.
Congress enacted a Law (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S.
Code, Sec. 87a) approving May 13, 1938, that made the 11th of November in each
year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to
be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day
was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954,
after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors,
Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces and had
fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans
service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word
"Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans."
With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954,
November 11th became a day to honor all American veterans of all wars.
Later that same year, on October 8th,
President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order to insure
proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all
veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in
the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of
Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall
include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will
coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am
also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive
branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way
possible."
President
Eisenhower signing HR7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day. From left:
Alvin J. King, Wayne Richards, Arthur J. Connell, John T. Nation,
Edward Rees, Richard L. Trombla, Howard W. Watts.
On that same day, President Eisenhower sent a letter to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs (VA), designating him as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee.
In 1958, the White House advised VA's General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee's chairman.
The Uniform Holiday Bill (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: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.
The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so 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, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.
Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
The history of our Armed Forces and the men and women that have served our Nation so heroically cannot be forgotten. Yet, there is a tragedy that happens every day, in fact, according to the Veterans Administration it happens more than 17 times per day, every day - that's the suicide of a veteran. You can help! Be alert - Be Present in their Lives - Be Understanding and above all encourage them to seek help. The following is the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline - Feel free to take a picture and keep it on your phone and handy in case you want to help a veteran in crisis.
