History of Veterans 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.”
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.
An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938,
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 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 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.
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