The purpose of Veterans Day is to honor and thank all American military veterans, living or dead, for their service.
Unlike several other U.S. holidays now celebrated on Mondays to create long holiday weekends, Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11.
History of Veterans Day
In 1938, Armistice Day was established to remember the armistice – or agreement – that had been signed back on November 11, 1918, marking the end of WWI. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day in 1919, emphasizing peace and honoring those who served in the Great War.
In 1938, Armistice Day was declared a federal holiday with a focus on WWI veterans. In that legislation, the date of November 11 was “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.'”
Armistice Day to Veterans Day
“Armistice Day” became “Veterans Day” as the holiday evolved from commemorating the end of WWI to honoring all U.S. veterans.
In 1954, after the U.S. had gone through the devastation of World War II and the Korean War, the scope of the holiday broadened. At the urging of veterans service organizations, the 83rd U.S. Congress amended the Act of 1938 by replacing the word “Armistice” with “Veterans.”
In his October 8, 1954, letter to the administrator of Veterans’ Affairs, President Dwight Eisenhower wrote, “I have today signed a proclamation calling upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954 as Veterans Day. It is my earnest hope that all veterans, their organizations, and the entire citizenry will join hands to insure [sic] proper and widespread observance of this day.”
November 11 became Veterans Day, a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Over the years, however, there were some changes to the actual date that Veterans Day was observed. In 1968, the Uniform Holiday Monday Act ensured three-day weekends for federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Columbus Day.
Under this bill, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday of October. The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. Many veterans as well as many members of the general public were not a fan of the date change. Many states also disagreed with this decision and continued to celebrate the holiday on its original date.
Finally on Sept. 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law that returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to November 11, beginning in 1978. This preserved the day’s historical significance.
Over the years, Veterans Day has evolved into a day not just for remembering those who served in wartime but also for recognizing all veterans, including those who served in peacetime. It now serves as a time to reflect on veterans’ contributions and ongoing challenges, such as health care and employment. The day has become a platform for honoring service while also advocating for veterans’ needs.