End of World War I commemorated this Veterans Day

This year we honor veterans on Nov. 11 for the 100th time in our nation's history.

World War I, also known as "The Great War," officially ended on June 28, 1919 when the Treaty of Versailles was signed in France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. For that reason, Nov. 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of World War I.

One year later, President Wilson proclaimed Nov. 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 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..."

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 dedicated to the cause of world peace known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily set aside to honor veterans of World War I. However, that changed in 1954, after World War II required the greatest mobilization of military in the nation's history and after American forces fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress amended the Act of 1938 by replacing the word "Armistice" with "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Later that same year, on Oct. 8, 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."

The Uniform Holiday Bill was signed on June 28, 1968, which was intended to give federal employees three-day weekends around four national holidays by observing them on Mondays- Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Columbus Day. Many states did not agree with this decision, however, and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.

The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on Oct. 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. Therefore, on Sept. 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97, which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of Nov. 11, beginning in 1978. This action had the support of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on Nov. 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to Nov. 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.

Editor's Note: This article was adapted from "The History of Veterans Day," online at http://www.va.gov.

Other Veterans Day features in this issue:

"Eddy County Letters from The Great War"- https://www.newrockfordtranscript.com/story/2018/11/12/news/eddy-county-letters-from-the-great-war/1782.html

Special Veterans Day edition of "Eyes that see the good in things" by Allison Lindgren- https://www.newrockfordtranscript.com/story/2018/11/12/features/eyes-that-see-the-good-in-things-veterans-day-2018/1791.html

Opinion: "Veterans Day: Is it enough?" by Danny Tyree- https://www.newrockfordtranscript.com/story/2018/11/12/opinion/opinion-veterans-day-is-it-enough/1763.html