Veterans Day – Explore the History of this Holiday and how was it Established as we Salute America’s Veterans Today for 2011

Today, November the 11th 2011, is Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor the veterans who have served their country. Where does Veterans Day come from and how was the date of Veterans Day selected?

In this article we explore the history of Veterans Day to better understand the purpose of the national holiday, and to understand why the 11th of November is the day set aside to honor the men and women who serve in the military.

As we discussed in a previous article on Veterans Day last week:

The origin of Veterans Day goes back the end of World War I, which ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year. The date was November 11th, 1918. The signing of an armistice agreement between Germany and the Allies marked the end of the first World War, known as the “great war” or the first “war to end all wars.”

The day, was then referred to in remembrance as Armistice Day, and was a day to commemorate the veterans who served in the war. Unfortunately, war continued beyond World War I and after World War II and the Korean War, in 1954 President Eisenhower signed a bill drafted by Congress to rename the day in honor of all fallen heroes changing its name from “Armistice Day” to “Veterans Day”.

While Memorial Day typically focuses on those who gave their lives in service of their country, Veterans Day is more focused on thanking the living veterans of war.

“Let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.” President Eisenhower read during the first Veterans Day.