Community Corner

5 Things About Veterans Day

A day to mark the end of World War I hostilities has become a day to honor veterans of all wars.

While some in the country celebrate Veterans Day as an extra day off, shopping the malls or taking in a movie, it's good to remember just what the commemoration is truly about.

Here's a brief history on the holiday and its significance, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs:

The holiday began as Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1918, the date when the end of the fighting between Germany and the Allied nations took effect.

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President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the day as national Armistice Day in 1919 and declared it a time of "solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory..."

Congress passed an act in 1938 turning Armistice Day into a legal holiday dedicated to world peace and honoring the service of World War I veterans. In 1954, after World War II and the largest mobilization of service personnel in U.S. history, Congress amended the law to replace "Armistice" with "Veterans," thus honoring all who served in U.S. wars.

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For a time, the day on which Veterans Day would be observed was shifted as the federal government tried to realign national holidays to Mondays to encourage three-day weekends. But it was confusing for many. So President Gerald Ford signed legislation returning Veterans Day to Nov. 11 starting in 1978.

The Department of Veterans Affairs sums it up this way:

"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."


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