Veterans Day is fast approaching. A day where we honor all our Veterans for their heroic services. Veterans Day is easily confused with Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a day to honor all those who died while serving. Veterans Day includes all those who have served in the military.
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month is when World War I ended. Our modern observance of Veterans Day originates from the solemn beginning of WWI’s armistice day. Woodrow Wilson would make November 11th in 1919 the first day to observe Armistice Day. It would be nearly a decade later before congress would pass a resolution requesting Calvin Coolidge to observe November 11th with ceremonies. Again, a decade would pass before congress would pass an act to make each November 11th a legal holiday that would be known as Armistice Day.
In 1945, Armistice Day would begin its morphing process into how we now know Veterans Day to observed yearly. Raymond Weeks would spearhead the process of change to our modern Veterans Day. Being a veteran himself of World War II, he wanted to expand the holiday to include all veterans. It wouldn’t be until 1954 when congress would send a bill to Dwight Eisenhower to establish Veterans Day to be observed replacing Armistace Day. The Day was briefly moved to the fourth Monday of October in the 1970’s. However, before the end of the decade the holiday would be reestablished to be legally observed permanently on November 11th.
Most events in the South Florida area being at 10am on the 11th a few other festivities begin at 9am. For your local events click here. Please take the day to observe and thank all those who gave their all and services so we can remain free.