Micki’s Meanderings
Hello Her/His Voice Readers,
I know we are past Veteran’s Day but I found this information
really interesting and thought it worth sharing.
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.
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 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
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.
An Act 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.”
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 threeday 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.
Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11,
regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration
of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only
preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus
attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration
to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country,
and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
Thank you to all who have served and to those that continue to
serve our fine country. God Bless!
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