Veterans Day

2005 Veterans Day Parade in Birmingham

Veterans Day is an American holiday honoring military veterans. Both a federal holiday and a state holiday in all states, it is celebrated on the same day as "Armistice Day" or "Remembrance Day" in other parts of the world, falling on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)

Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to [United States] national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty.

History

"Armistice Day" was first commemorated in the United States by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919, and 30 states made it a legal holiday. On November 11, 1921 the remains of an unknown soldier were entombed in Washington D.C. as a memorial to all who died in service to the United States. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 inviting all States to observe the day, and then passed another resolution in 1939 making it a federal holiday.

Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran and Birmingham citizen, led efforts to expand Armistice Day to salute the veterans of that war. He led a delegation that presented the idea to General Eisenhower, the Army Chief of Staff. With his blessing, plans were made for the first Veterans Day celebration, held on November 11, 1947 in Birmingham. A parade was held downtown, beginning a tradition which continues with what remains the nation's largest Veterans Day Parade.

After years of lobbying, a bill to formally change the name of the federal holiday was introduced by Representative Edwin Rees of Kansas. It was signed by President Eisenhower on June 1, 1954.

The National Veterans Award was created here in 1954 for the first National Veterans Day. Weeks was given the Presidential Citizens Medal in November 1982 for his efforts on behalf of U. S. veterans.

Observance

The celebration was moved to the fourth Monday of October by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968 (the law also moved George Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, and Columbus Day). After protests by veterans groups, it was moved back to November 11 in 1978 (most states had reverted to the original date during the 1970s). Even though it is a federal and state holiday, it is formally observed in most parts of the United States mainly by government offices and banks. Many schools and businesses remain open on regular schedules.

References

• "Veterans Day." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 31 Oct 2007, 18:47 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 31 Oct 2007 [1].
• The Origins of Veterans Day
• History of National Veterans Day in Birmingham

External links

• Veterans Day at the Department of Veterans Affairs