Veterans' Day (formerly Armistice 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 to the dead, then volleys were fired and taps
sounded.
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.
Excerpts from All
About American Holidays by Mayme R. Krythe.
