A Brief History of Veterans’ Day

Originally posted at HomeschoolBenefits.net

Veterans’ Day is an often overlooked holiday. It is a time to remember those who served our country both during war and times of peace. However, for many of us it is just another day.

President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the observance of Armistice Day as a time to remember those who served in World War. (1) World War I ended at 11 am on November 11th 1918. The early celebrations included speeches and parades.(2) In 1920, President Wilson, who was a man of great faith, declared the Sunday closest to November 11th as Armistice Day Sunday. It was to be time to hold services for peace. (3) However it was not until 1938 that Armistice Day became a federal holiday. (4)

In 1921, the Tomb of the Unknown Solider is dedicated in Arlington National Cemetery. (5). Unidentified soldiers from World War II and the Korean War were interred next the solider from World War I in 1958. In 1973, the remains of an unknown American from the Vietnam War was also laid to rest next to the others. However in 1998, the remains of the Vietnam solider were identified using DNA testing as Air Force Pilot Michael Blassie. His remains have since buried in St. Louis, Missouri. (6)

The town of Emporia, Kansas was the first group to observe “Veterans’ Day” in 1953, recognizing the veterans of both World Wars and the Korean War. (7) In 1954, President Eisenhower changes the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all veterans. (8)

In 1968, congress passed a law changing the observance of Veterans’ Day to the fourth Monday in November. In 1978, due to popular demand the observance of Veterans’ Day is returned to November 11th. (9)

The purpose of Veterans’ Day is to remember those who sacrificed for our country. Take some time today to stop and thank a veteran. Then stop and say prayer for our troops currently serving our coutry.

Notes:

1. History of Veterans’ Day, [http://www.army.mil/cmh/faq/vetsday/vetshist.htm]
2. Beverly Hernandez, The History and Origin of Veterans Day [http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/unitssubjhol/a/veteransday.htm]
3. History of Veterans’ Day, [http://www.army.mil/cmh/faq/vetsday/vetshist.htm]
4. Beverly Hernandez, The History and Origin of Veterans Day [http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/unitssubjhol/a/veteransday.htm]
5. History of Veterans’ Day, [http://www.army.mil/cmh/faq/vetsday/vetshist.htm]
6. Infoplease.com, Veterans’ Day, [http://www.infoplease.com/spot/veteransday1.html]
7. Beverly Hernandez, The History and Origin of Veterans Day [http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/unitssubjhol/a/veteransday.htm]
8. History of Veterans’ Day, [http://www.army.mil/cmh/faq/vetsday/vetshist.htm]
9. Ibid.