Veterans Day Facts You’ll Want to Know
It’s easy to think of Veterans Day in the cascade of holidays in the fall and winter months. Sometimes, it’s so far removed that we think of it as just a bank holiday. But Veterans Day is a special holiday here in the States as well as abroad. So, why do we celebrate Veterans Day?
Why Do We Celebrate Veterans Day?
We celebrate Veterans Day to honor the many sacrifices servicemen and women give to keep us safe. Some of their sacrifices are physical, others are mental. Veterans have given where we cannot. They’ve served so we didn’t have to. Celebrating Veterans is, in effect, a patriotic duty for any American.
Who Started Veterans Day?
In 1926 the United States Congress passed a law recognizing November 11 as Veterans Day, though it wasn’t named as such until 1954. It’s often confused with Memorial Day where we honor those who have passed. Veterans Day honors former and active military as well as those no longer with us.
“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 nations.” President Woodrow Wilson
What Is The History of Veterans Day?
More than 16 million lives were lost in the War to end all Wars during the war we now call World War I -- 1914 through 1918. The Great War was thought to have been the last war -- until WWII. The signing of the cease-fire (Armistice) by Germany led the way to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The League of Nations came from this treaty; sadly, the League failed and lost ground to its competitor the United Nations.
“Veterans Day originated as ‘Armistice Day’ on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I.” History.com
Veterans Day Facts
- Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day and was renamed in 1954.
- The armistice was signed on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. There is a moment of silence (2 min) held for that moment at 3:11 PM Eastern Time.
- Though it seems like the day belongs to all Veterans, the spelling specifically does not have a possessive apostrophe.
- Schools aren’t required to observe Veterans Day.
- Every year, a poster is created to honor Veterans Day. Here is the link to 2021’s poster.
- “In 1968, under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, the date of the official celebration was moved to create three-day holidays for federal employees.” Albany Herald
- “There are around 19 million U.S. veterans as of this year, according to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, representing less than 10% of the total U.S. adult population.” Pew Research
- The VA has a Crisis Line with information for veterans dealing with mental health issues. Know the signs.
How Are You Celebrating Veterans Day?
Will you call up a loved one, post on social media, or attend an event? How will you celebrate Veterans Day this year? As always, feel free to subscribe to our newsletter for great articles like this one and get back to living your best life!
