Veterans Day: The History and Why We Honor All Who Served

Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, is a national ceremony that pays tribute to the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The origins of this holiday can be traced back to the conclusion of World War I, which was officially referred to as "The Great War," in 1919, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. Nevertheless, the armistice that concluded active combat was ratified on November 11, 1918, and hostilities ceased at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. 

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This historic occurrence ignited a global celebration, commemorating a peace that was achieved through a grueling struggle that resulted in the loss of more than nine million combatants.

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November 11 was officially designated as "Armistice Day" in 1938 to pay tribute to the veterans of World War I. Nevertheless, a movement was born to extend the recognition to all U.S. veterans in response to the unprecedented scope of World War II and the sacrifices made by millions more service members. The holiday's name was officially changed to "Veterans Day" by Congress in 1954, which expanded its applicability to veterans of all conflicts.

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President Woodrow Wilson's proclamation on November 11, 1919, underscored America's commitment to peace and justice by emphasizing solemn pride in commemorating the heroism of fallen soldiers and gratitude for victory. In 1971, President Gerald Ford guaranteed that Veterans Day would always be observed on November 11, regardless of the day of the week, to preserve its historical significance. This reaffirmed the importance of November 11.

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Under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, "Veterans Day" is not written with an apostrophe because it is not a day that belongs to veterans but rather one that is intended to honor them. Another distinction between Memorial Day and Veterans Day is that Memorial Day commemorates those who perished in combat. At the same time, Veterans Day expresses gratitude to all who have served.

It is also intriguing to note that other countries observe comparable holidays. Remembrance Day is commemorated in Canada and England with memorial ceremonies and poppy blossoms.

Honoring the contributions of innumerable veterans to the nation, this day serves as a reminder of their dedication, service, and sacrifices.

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