Veteran's Day

November 11,
is the anniversary of the Armistice which was signed
in the Forest of Compiegne by the Allies and the Germans
in 1918, ending World War I, after four years of conflict.
At 5 A.M. on Monday, November 11, 1918 the Germans signed
the Armistice, an order was issued for all firing to cease;
so the hostilities of the First World War ended.
This day began with the laying down of arms, blowing of
whistles, impromptu parades, closing of places of business.
All over the globe there were many demonstrations; no doubt
the world has never before witnessed such rejoicing.
In November of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson issued his
Armistice Day proclamation.The last paragraph set the tone
for future observances:

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 nation.



In 1927 Congress issued a resolution requesting President
Calvin Coolidge to issue a proclamation calling upon officials
to display the Flag of the United States on all government
buildings on November 11, and inviting the people to observe
the day in schools and churches...But it was not until 1938
that Congress passed a bill that each November 11 "shall
be dedicated to the cause of world peace and .....
hereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day."



That same year President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed
a bill making the day a legal holiday in the District
of Columbia. For sixteen years the United States
formally observed Armistice Day, with impressive
ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,
where the Chief Executive or his representative placed
a wreath. In many other communities, the American
Legion was in charge of the observance, which included
parades and religious services. At 11 A.M. all traffic
stopped, in tribute



After World War II, there were many new veterans who
had little or no association with World War I.The word,
"armistice," means simply a truce; therefore as years
passed,the significance of the name of this holiday
changed.Leaders of Veterans' groups decided to try to
correct this and make November 11 the time to honor all
who had fought in various American wars, not just in
World War I.



In Emporia, Kansas, on November 11, 1953, instead of
an Armistice Day program, there was a Veterans' Day
observance. Ed Rees, of Emporia, was so impressed that
he introduced a bill into the House to change the name to
Veterans' Day. After this passed, Mr. Rees wrote to all
state governors and asked for their approval and cooperation
in observing the changed holiday. The name was changed to
Veterans' Day by Act of Congress on May 24, 1954.



In October of that year, President Eisenhower called on
all citizens to observe the day by remembering the sacrifices
of all those who fought so gallantly, and through rededication
to the task of promoting an enduring peace. The President
referred to the change of name to Veterans' Day in honor of
the servicemen of all America's wars.