Veterans’ Day: Formerly Armistice Day

November 11 is the anniversary of the Armistice which was signed in the Forest of Compiegne by the Allies and the Germans in 1918, ending World War I, after four years of conflict. 

At 5 A.M. on Monday, November 11, 1918 the Germans signed the Armistice, an order was issued for all firing to cease; so the hostilities of the First World War ended.  This day began with the laying down of arms, blowing of whistles, impromptu parades, closing of places of business.  All over the globe there were many demonstrations; no doubt the world witnessed great rejoicing.

   In November of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson issued his Armistice Day proclamation.  The last paragraph set the tone for future observances:

   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 nation.
   In 1927 Congress issued a resolution requesting President Calvin Coolidge to issue a proclamation calling upon officials to display the Flag of the United States on all government buildings on November 11, and inviting the people to observe the day in schools and churches...But it was not until 1938 that Congress passed a bill that each November 11 “shall be dedicated to the cause of world peace and ...hereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day.” 
   That same year President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill making the day a legal holiday in the District of Columbia. For sixteen years the United States formally observed Armistice Day, with impressive ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the Chief Executive or his representative placed a wreath.  In many other communities, the American Legion was in charge of the observance, which included parades and religious services.  At 11 A.M. all traffic stopped, in tribute to the dead, then volleys were fired and taps sounded.
   After World War II, there were many new veterans who had little or no association with World War I.  The word, “armistice,” means simply a truce; therefore as years passed, the significance of the name of this holiday changed.  Leaders of Veterans’ groups decided to try to correct this and make November 11 the time to honor all who had fought in various American wars, not just in World War I.
   In Emporia, Kansas, on November 11, 1953, instead of an Armistice Day program, there was a Veterans’ Day observance.  Ed Rees, of Emporia, was so impressed that he introduced a bill into the House to change the name to Veterans’ Day.  After this passed, Mr. Rees wrote to all state governors and asked for their approval and cooperation in observing the changed holiday.  The name was changed to Veterans’ Day by an Act of Congress on May 24, 1954.  In October of that year, President Eisenhower called on all citizens to observe the day by remembering the sacrifices of all those who fought so gallantly, and through rededication to the task of promoting an enduring peace.  The President referred to the change of name to Veterans’ Day in honor of the servicemen of all America’s wars. 

The above article is excerpted from All About American Holidays by Mayme R. Krythe and is posted on the web site http://www.patriotism.org/veterans_day.