Tribute to Veterans Day
Veterans Day, a holiday celebrating military service men and women, is one of the least understood of the national holidays. Often confused with Flag Day or Memorial Day, the history of Veterans Day focuses on honoring living veterans rather than those who have fallen, and this important holiday deserves to be more widely recognized and celebrated.
Commemorated on November 11 or the weekday that falls closest to November 11, Veterans Day was once known as Armistice Day and was created in 1938 to celebrate the end of World War I. While President Woodrow Wilson first declared Armistice Day in 1919 on the first anniversary of the end of fighting, it wasn’t until the late 1930s that Armistice Day became a federal holiday. At that time, this legal holiday was held to promote world peace and celebrate the service of soldiers in every military branch.
In 1954, while working under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Congress passed an amendment changing the name of the holiday to Veterans Day, in order to include soldiers who had also fought in both World War II and the Korean War. Today, it is a day to honor any veterans of any war and falls on November 11 unless that date occurs on a weekend. Then, observances are held on either the previous Friday or the following Monday.
Primarily, the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day is that Veterans Day focuses on honoring those living who are veterans of the military. Whether serving during war or peace, veterans put their lives on the line and dedicate their careers to protecting the rights and freedoms of the United States of America. A similar holiday is celebrated in France, Great Britain and Canada, again starting out as a day to honor the end of World War I and expanding to become a holiday to honor veterans for their patriotism and honorable service.
Click Below to view a wonderful Tribute to those who have served our Country!