Why Is Veterans Day On November 11

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 countrys 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.

Veterans Day By The Numbers

19.5 million the approximate number of veterans in the United States. 9 million the number of veterans over the age of 65. 5.06 million the number of veterans receiving disability compensation. 2 million the number of female veterans of those receiving disability compensation. 500k the number of World War II veterans still living in the United States. 1.56 million the number of veterans in California, the highest number in the country. 1.46 million the number of veterans in Texas, the second-highest number in the country. 11% the percentage of veterans who experience homelessness. 50% the percentage of veterans experiencing homelessness who also live with a mental illness like PTSD.

The Evolution Of Armistice Day

The ceremonies became an annual observance among many who wanted to keep the memory of the war alive, and by 1926 the U.S. Congress had adopted a resolution urging President Calvin Coolidge to issue annual Armistice Day proclamations. In 1938, November 11 was designated Armistice Day nationwide by act of Congress, which said that the day should be dedicated to the cause of world peace.

But world peace proved elusive. Though World War I had been dubbed the war to end all wars, the world plunged back into conflict. In 1941, the U.S. entered World War IIwhich would become what is still known as the worlds deadliest conflict. Over 291,000 American soldiers died in battle, and another 670,000 were wounded. The Korean War followed in 1950, leading to the deaths of nearly 34,000 American soldiers and another 103,000 wounded.

By that time, Armistice Day had begun to seem outdated, as most veterans had been born after World War I ended. In 1953, Alvin J. King, an Emporia, Kansas, cobbler who had lost a nephew during World War II, petitioned the city to rename the holiday to honor all who had served. That year, the city celebrated Veterans Day on November 11 instead.

Congress agreed, and the name change became official in 1954.

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Whats The Difference Beween Veterans Day And Memorial Day

On both Veterans Day and Memorial Day, its customary to spend time remembering and honoring the countless veterans who have served the United States throughout the countrys history. However, there is a distinction between the two holidays:

• Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL who have served, living or deceased, but particular the living veterans among us.
• Memorial Day specifically commemorates the men and women who died while in service of their country and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

How Did World War I End

World War I ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919.

The treaty was signed after the armistice agreement on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month was signed to end all the fighting.

The war involved the Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire against the Allied Powers: Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Japan and the US.

The Allied Powers claimed victory after four years of incessant fighting where nearly 16million soldiers and civilians died.

Many factors happening in Europe contributed to the war but the assassination of the Austro-Hungarian heir Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the catalyst.

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Why Do We Do 1 Minute Silence

Silence for one or two minutes is included in ANZAC and Remembrance Day ceremonies as a sign of respect and a time for reflection. The idea for the two minute silence is said to have originated with Edward George Honey, a Melbourne journalist and First World War veteran who was living in London in 1919.

Washington: The Evergreen State

On , 1889, President Benjamin Harrison declared Washington the forty-second state in the Union. Less than fifty years after pioneers began entering the Pacific Northwest via the Oregon Trail, the United States borders extended from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. Spanish and British explorers landed on the Northwest coast in the 1770s American explorers followed. In 1818, the United States and Britain jointly occupied the Oregon Country of which Washington was a part.

In 1844, presidential candidate James K. Polk urged an aggressive stance with regard to ownership of the land below the 54th parallel. The slogan Fifty-four Forty or Fight became a rallying cry of the Polk campaign. Two years later, the U.S. and Great Britain signed the Oregon Treaty setting the Canadian-American border at the 49th parallel and granting the United States territory that included present-day Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. In 1848, Congress designated this newly acquired area the Oregon Territory.

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Its A Chance To Reflect On The Importance Of Peace

While our military is often thought of in a war context, most veterans will tell you that they risked their lives to defend our fundamental freedoms and that they value peace much more highly than war. Very few who have seen the real horror of war are anxious to rush into it, and Veterans Day encourages all of us to reflect on the value of harmony in our daily interactions and lives.

A Short History Of Veterans Day

Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day in the United States, commemorating the signing of the agreement that ended World War I at 11:00 A.M., November 11, 1918. President Woodrow Wilson celebrated the first Armistice Day in 1919.

In 1938, November 11 became a legal holiday by an act of Congress.

In 1954, this federal hoiday was changed from Armistice to Veterans Day.

Although this holiday initially honored those who perished in service to their country, when the holidays name was changed to Veterans Day, it became a day to honor ALL the men and women who have served in the armed forces of the United States.

Each year, special ceremonies are held at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Part of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

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• For travel to the United States on a temporary basis, including tourism, temporary employment, study and exchange.

Veterans Day originated in the Armistice Day holiday commemorating the November 11, 1918, armistice at 11 a.m. , which suspended active hostilities and effectively ended the First World War.President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919, the first 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 countrys 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 .

How To Celebrate Veterans Past And Present

The history of Veterans Day is closely tied to our nations history and gives Americans an opportunity to honor those who have made sacrifices to protect us. This Veterans Day, give more than thanks to veterans by:

• Volunteering at a local veterans center

• Asking friends or family who served about their time in the military, then preserving those memories in a journal or digital file for future generations

• Laying flowers in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 9-10 as part of the Centennial Commemoration Public Flower Ceremony

• Watching a joint full honors procession and joint service flyover at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11 via livestream

• Donating to a military nonprofit like the USO to support the next generation of veterans

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Spelling Of Veterans Day

While the holiday is commonly printed as Veteran’s Day or Veterans’ Day in calendars and advertisements, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs website states that the attributive rather than the possessive case is the official spelling “because it is not a day that ‘belongs’ to veterans, it is a day for honoring all veterans.”

Celebrating The Veterans Day Holiday

If the Nov. 11 holiday falls on a non-workday — Saturday or Sunday — the holiday is observed by the federal government on Monday or Friday . Federal government closings are established by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. State and local government closings are determined locally, and non-government businesses can close or remain open as they see fit, regardless of federal, state or local government operation determinations.

United States Senate Resolution 143, which was passed on Aug. 4, 2001, designated the week of Nov. 11 through Nov. 17, 2001, as “National Veterans Awareness Week.” The resolution calls for educational efforts directed at elementary and secondary school students concerning the contributions and sacrifices of veterans.

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Facts About Veterans Day:

• Until 1954, Veterans Day was known as Armistice Day. While Armistice Day was principally celebrated to honor the heroes from World War I, the change of name brought about a more inclusive day to celebrate since Veterans Day honors all of those involved and affected by war.
• It was former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a US Army general, who instigated that Veterans Day replaces Armistice Day.
• World War II saw the highest number of US Military personnel fight for their country with over 16 million deployed. Thats over 3 times the amount of WWI.
• Veterans Day is often misspelled as Veterans Day. Since the holiday doesnt belong to just one Veteran as it is inclusive and celebrates all Veterans, its Veterans Day.
• Did you know, that Veterans Day is one of the three military holidays, alongside Memorial Day and Independence Day?
• Memorial Day is not another name for Veterans Day, its a different day entirely. Memorial Day honors those specifically who have died in the line of duty.
• Veterans Day honors all US Armed Forces departments, including the US Army, US Air Force, US Marine Corps, US Navy, US Coast Guard, and most recently, US Space Force.

Why Is The Number 11 Important For Veterans

The holiday marks the anniversary of the 1918 signing of the Armistice, which took place in a railway carriage, between the Allies and Germany. This event marked the end of fighting on the Western Front in the First World War. The signing took place at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

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It Draws Attention To The Challenges Facing Many Veterans

Veterans face disproportionate rates of homelessness, deficits in educational achievement, a struggle to find employment, and often have to deal with devastating wounds. In many cases, post-traumatic stress disorder makes it hard for them to reintegrate into regular society. By understanding these challenges, we can all reach across those divides and make sure veterans have the best possible chance of having a healthy and fulfilling life after their service.

From Armistice Day To Veterans Day

American effort during World War II saw the greatest mobilization of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force in the nations history some 5.7 million more served in the Korean War.

In 1954, after lobbying efforts by veterans service organizations, the 83rd U.S. Congress amended the 1938 act that had made Armistice Day a holiday, striking the word Armistice in favor of Veterans. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the legislation on June 1, 1954. From then on, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

The next development in the story of Veterans Day unfolded in 1968, when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which sought to ensure three-day weekends for federal employeesand encourage tourism and travelby celebrating four national holidays on Mondays.

The observation of Veterans Day was set as the fourth Monday in October. The first Veterans Day under the new law was Monday, October 25, 1971 confusion ensued, as many states disapproved of this change, and continued to observe the holiday on its original date.

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What Is Veterans Day

Veterans Day became a holiday in America beginning in May of 1938.

Veterans Day is held on November 11 as this is the day that World War One ended with the signing of the armistice agreement.

The holiday, originally known as Armistice Day, was dedicated initially to world peace and World War I soldiers.

However, Congress was urged by veteran associations to drop the Armistice from its name and change it to veterans after World War II required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, airmen, and Marines.

The legislation became official on June 1, 1954, and November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

That year on October 8, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Veterans Day proclamation which also designated a chairman of the Veterans Day Committee.

The proclamation said: “In order to ensure 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.”

What Does Veterans Day Mean

Veterans Day is an important day set aside to honor and show appreciation for ALL who have served in the United States militaryin wartime or peacetime, living, or deceased.

We cant all be heroes someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.Roy Rogers

In Canada, November 11 is called Remembrance Day. This day, which is more similar to Memorial Day than Veterans Day, honors veterans who have died in service to their country.

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Why Is Veterans Day On November 11

• 11:03 ET, Nov 8 2020

VETERANS Day is a federal holiday to honor all the American soldiers, Marines and air men and women who fought across all wars.

The day is held each year on November 11, when on the same date in 1918 an armistice was signed between the Allied nations and Germany to halt the hostilities of World War I.

Ways To Show Vets Appreciation

Remember that Veterans Day is to honor the service of all Americans who have served, but particular the living veterans among us. Many of our vets stepped in harms way on our behalf.

Therefore, a cheery Happy Veterans Day! may not be fitting to a person who may have friends who died in combat. According to a veterans poll , 49% of vets feel uneasy with the expression, Thank you for your service. They werent sure how to respond, and preferred action to words.

But dont get hung up on not knowing exactly how to express your gratitude to a veteran. Everyone knows and appreciates a kind word and, even better, an act of kindness.

Here are 10 ways you can show vets that you appreciate the sacrifices they made:

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