Veterans Day
(Image: WWI Men of US 64th Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, celebrate the news of the Armistice, 11-November 1918. Caption: WWI Men of US 64th Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, celebrate the news of the Armistice,11-November 1918.)
Veterans Day is observed annually on November 11th, a day dedicated to honoring all those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Their commitment, sacrifice, and unwavering service stand as a testament to the values upon which the nation was founded.
(Image: New York Times, page 1, November 11, 1918. Caption: New York Times, page 1, November 11, 1918)
The echoes of "the war to end all wars" still resonate through history, a poignant descriptor of World War I, which, in November of 1918, was simply known as "The Great War." This global conflict, characterized by unprecedented destruction and loss of life, profoundly shaped the 20th century and led to the establishment of a day of remembrance.
The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 marked the end of hostilities on the Western Front. An armistice, a cessation of fighting, was agreed upon, a pivotal moment that signaled the beginning of the end of the war. This day, etched in time, would eventually evolve into what we now know as Veterans Day, a day of national recognition and gratitude.
The armistice, a carefully negotiated truce between the Allied forces and Germany, effectively brought an end to the fighting on the Western Front. However, this was just one front in a global conflict that had raged for four long years. The war’s insatiable appetite for resources and manpower had drawn in nations from across the globe, leaving a trail of devastation and claiming millions of lives throughout Europe and beyond.
By late September 1918, Germany’s military position had become untenable. Facing imminent defeat, the German government was compelled to respond to U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s "Fourteen Points," a comprehensive plan for peace articulated earlier in January. These points, largely drafted by French Marshal Ferdinand Foch, laid out specific conditions for a cessation of hostilities. Among these terms were the immediate halt of fighting, the complete withdrawal of German troops from occupied territories, the exchange of prisoners of war, the promise of reparations for damages caused, and the preservation of vital infrastructure.
Although the armistice brought an end to the large-scale fighting in Western Europe, it would take over six months of complex negotiations before the Treaty of Versailles was finalized. Signed in June of 1919, the Treaty officially ended World War I. Even after the armistice, battles continued to erupt in parts of the Russian Empire on the Eastern Front, a testament to the widespread upheaval and instability caused by the war.
In November 1919, a year after the armistice, President Wilson issued a proclamation designating November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. His words, imbued with solemnity and gratitude, reflected the nation’s mood:
"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 initial vision for Armistice Day included a day filled with patriotic parades and public gatherings. Businesses were encouraged to briefly suspend operations at 11:00 a.m., the precise moment the guns fell silent on the Western Front. This pause served as a symbolic moment of reflection and remembrance. In June of 1926, the United States Congress formally recognized the significance of the end of World War I through a resolution that articulated the importance of commemorating the anniversary with thanksgiving, prayer, and activities designed to promote peace and understanding among nations.
The resolution explicitly stated the desire to perpetuate peace through goodwill and mutual understanding, urging the display of the American flag on all government buildings and inviting the people to observe the day in schools, churches, and other appropriate venues.
It wasn’t until 1938 that Congress passed an Act officially making November 11 "Armistice Day," a legal holiday dedicated to honoring veterans of "The Great War" and promoting the cause of world peace. Armistice Day continued in this form until 1954, when, at the urging of veterans organizations and with the support of Congress, the Act was amended. The word "Armistice" was replaced with "Veterans," transforming the holiday into a day to honor American veterans of all wars. The amended Act was officially approved on June 1, 1954, solidifying Veterans Day as a tribute to all who have served.
On October 8, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first official Veterans Day Proclamation, emphasizing the importance of widespread observance and calling for unity in honoring veterans.
"In order to ensure 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."
(Image: Roosevelt on Armistice Day 1936. Caption: Roosevelt on Armistice Day 1936)
The official observance of Veterans Day continued to be recognized on November 11 until 1968. In an effort to create three-day holiday weekends for federal employees, the Uniform Holiday Bill shifted the observance of Veterans Day. However, this change created confusion among the public, and many states continued to observe the holiday on its traditional date. When Veterans Day was federally observed on October 25, 1971, it was met with significant resistance and confusion. This led to a return to the November 11 observance beginning in 1978.
By restoring the original date, Congress ensured that the historical significance of Veterans Day was preserved. The importance of focusing attention on American veterans and acknowledging their tremendous sacrifices for the nation and its freedom was also given its due.
The observance of Veterans Day in the United States differs significantly from the November 11 observances in many European countries. While European nations often focus on commemorating those who died in war, Veterans Day in the U.S. is a celebration of all veterans, living or dead, regardless of the conflict in which they served. Memorial Day, observed in May, is designated as the national day of remembrance for those Americans who have died in war.
© Kathy Weiser-Alexander, updated November 2021.
Source: United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Here in America, we are descended in blood and in spirit from revolutionists and rebels – men and women who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine. As their heirs, may we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion.”
– Dwight D. Eisenhower
Also See:
Evolution of National Cemeteries and Memorial Day
Wars, Military, & Soldiers
American Wars and Military Photo Galleries
Documenting American History
Patriotic Photo Gallery
American History (main page)
(Image: Memorial in Guthrie, Oklahoma remembers veterans of several wars where Americans have fought and died. Photo by David Fisk. Caption: Memorial in Guthrie, Oklahoma remembers veterans of several wars where Americans have fought and died. Photo by David Fisk.)