Understanding Veterans Day
There are a few special days meant to celebrate and acknowledge those who protect and serve the U.S. Compared to other military-oriented holidays, Veterans Day shines a spotlight on veterans — past and present. The day allows civilians to show gratitude to the men and women who served the country. So, let’s get into this important day!
The military holiday commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, officially ending World War I. However, the fighting between the Allie nations and Germany ceased on November 11, 1918, almost seven months earlier. The day, originally known as Armistice Day, was officially celebrated on November 11, 1919, after President Woodrow Wilson made a declaration.
The day remained an observance for the U.S. until Congress enacted a resolution making it a recurring holiday on June 4, 1926. It was an unofficial holiday until May 13, 1938, when Congress passed an act to make it a legal holiday. After the act became official, the day underwent another change when President Dwight Eisenhower renamed Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954 to recognize those who served in the Korean War and World War II. Now, the military holiday honors those across multiple conflicts from the past to the present day.
In the years following its name change, veterans gained importance within the U.S. government with the creation of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The VA Administrator rose to Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee. After the 1968 Uniform Holiday Bill, the holiday was shrouded in confusion when the first Veterans Day was observed on October 25, 1971, instead of November 11. After years of discourse led to President Gerald Ford signing Public Law 94–97 on September 25, 1975, to restore the holiday to its original observance day in 1978.
Since 1978, more conflicts have occurred since World War I. We chose this day to let our veterans know the importance of their service to our country!
Originally published at http://adreonpatterson.net on November 7, 2023.
