History of Veteran's Day

I just received this from my friend, Ed Kostuik, an emergency manager for the state of Oklahoma.

I'd like to offer my heartfelt THANK YOU to all Veterans

HISTORY OF VETERAN'S DAY

World War I – known at the time as "The Great War" officially ended
when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the
Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However,
fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary
cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went
into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh
month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as
the end of "the war to end all wars."

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the
first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us
in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with
solemn pride in the heroism of those

The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with
parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business
beginning at 11 a.m.

The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War
I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these
words:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most
destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the
resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations
with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and

Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date
should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises
designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual
understanding between nations; and

Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already
declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved
by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the
President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation
calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States
on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of
the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or
other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly
relations with all other peoples.

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938,
made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday - - a day to
be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter
celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily
a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after
World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers,
sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation's history; after American
forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the
urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938
by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the
word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law
380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American
veterans of all wars.

Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower
issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order
to insure 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."

On that same day, the President sent a letter to the Honorable Harvey
V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs (VA), designating him
as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee.

In 1958, the White House advised VA's General Counsel that the 1954
designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day
National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since
March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee's chairman.

The Uniforms Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was
signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to insure three-day
weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays
on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and
Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would
encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate
greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not
agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on
their original dates.

The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much
confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the
commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic
significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September
20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89
Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to
its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action
supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state
legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the
American people.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of
what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the
observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the
historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the
important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's
veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to
serve and sacrifice for the common good.