The 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.”
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11th 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. The History of
Veterans Day (http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp) 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.