Today, we officially honor those our country’s veterans. As we offer our appreciation, we should remember the complicated process of how this day came about.
World War I officially ended on June 28, 1919. However, fighting stopped seven months earlier when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Those numbers signify the reason for the observation date of Nov. 11.
In November of 1919, President Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as the first Armistice Day to honor the veterans of World War I. The celebration included parades, public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11 a.m. On May 13, 1938, Nov. 11 became a legal holiday dedicated to world peace and was celebrated as “Armistice Day.” On June 1, 1954, Armistice Day was appropriately amended and became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Then things got complicated.
The Uniform Holiday Bill was signed on June 28, 1968, with an intent to provide three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Columbus Day. 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 widespread confusion on Oct. 25, 1971. On Sept. 20, 1975, President Ford signed a law returning the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of Nov. 11 starting in 1978.
Today, Veterans Day continues to be observed on Nov. 11, regardless of what day of the week it falls on. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to Nov. 11 preserved the historical significance of the date. It also helps focus attention on the purpose of Veterans Day: to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, their love of country, and their willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
Amen. Thank you, veterans.
Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707