Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, has a rich history rooted in honoring those who served and sacrificed for the nation. Originally known as Armistice Day, it marked the end of World War I—a conflict so devastating that it was hoped to be “the war to end all wars.” The significance of this day has evolved through legislation and tradition, expanding to celebrate all veterans across generations and conflicts.

Origins of Veterans Day: The End of World War I

World War I officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, at the Palace of Versailles in France. However, fighting had effectively stopped months earlier, when an armistice was declared between Allied forces and Germany. This truce took effect on November 11, 1918, at the symbolic “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.” This date quickly became a moment for reflection, with November 11 widely considered the conclusion of “The Great War.”

In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson declared the first Armistice Day, acknowledging the heroism of those who served in World War I. His proclamation emphasized “solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and gratitude for the victory.”

Establishing Armistice Day as a National Holiday

In 1938, Congress passed An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U.S. Code, Sec. 87a), making November 11 a legal holiday dedicated to the cause of world peace and honoring World War I veterans. Known as Armistice Day, this day became a way for the nation to pay tribute to those who had served in the war.

Transforming Armistice Day into Veterans Day

After World War II—the largest mobilization of U.S. military forces—and the Korean War, veterans’ organizations urged Congress to broaden Armistice Day’s meaning. In 1954, the 83rd Congress amended the 1938 Act, replacing “Armistice” with “Veterans,” establishing November 11 as Veterans Day. This new holiday honored all American veterans, past and present, regardless of the conflict in which they served. President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Veterans Day Proclamation later that year, calling upon Americans to unite in honoring veterans and designating the Administrator of Veterans Affairs as the chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee, tasked with organizing national observances.

Formalizing the Role of the Veterans Affairs Secretary

In 1958, the White House clarified that the position of chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee would apply to all future Administrators of Veterans Affairs. When the Department of Veterans Affairs was elevated to a cabinet-level agency in 1989, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs assumed this role, coordinating national Veterans Day activities.

The Uniform Holiday Bill and Restoring November 11 Observance

In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363), which moved the observance of four national holidays, including Veterans Day, to Mondays to provide federal employees with more three-day weekends. This change was intended to promote travel, leisure, and economic growth. Yet many states resisted, continuing to observe Veterans Day on November 11, a date with deep historical and patriotic significance.

In 1971, the first Veterans Day under the new law was observed on October 25, sparking widespread public confusion and prompting calls to restore the holiday to its original date. Responding to public sentiment, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 on September 20, 1975, which restored Veterans Day to November 11, effective in 1978. This change honored the wishes of veterans’ organizations, state legislatures, and American citizens, reinforcing the importance of commemorating the sacrifices of veterans on the anniversary of the 1918 armistice.

Veterans Day Today: A Legacy of Honor and Remembrance

Today, Veterans Day serves as a national expression of gratitude, celebrating the dedication and courage of American veterans across all wars and eras. The holiday stands as a tribute to those who have fought for peace, freedom, and the nation’s core values, preserving the historic significance of November 11 and honoring veterans’ lasting contributions to the United States.

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