History of Veterans Day

1915
The Glade of the Armistice in the Compigne Forest in France, a memorial that commemorates the signing of the armistice.

Nov. 11, 1919

An armistice is signed between the Allies and Germany in France that calls for the end of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I. The agreement took effect at 11 a.m., meaning it took place on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year 1918.

Nov. 11, 1918

President Woodrow Wilson proclaims an armistice day for Nov. 11, 1919. Wilson says: To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the countrys 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 nations.

Woodrow Wilson

June 4, 1926

France and England hold ceremonies honoring their unknown dead from World War I. Meanwhile, in the U.S., President Wilson designates the Sunday immediately following Armistice Day as Armistice Sunday. Churches are encouraged to hold services that promote international peace.

1920

Seven years after Wilsons first proclamation, Congress passes a concurrent resolution requesting President Calvin Coolidge issue a proclamation to observe Nov. 11 with appropriate ceremonies.

1935
1953

Calvin Coolidge

The Tomb of the Unknowns is dedicated at Arlington National Cemetery. Congress declares the day a national holiday.

Nov. 11, 1921

Congress passes 52 Stat. 351; 5 U.S. Code, Sec. 87a, which makes Nov. 11 of each year a legal holiday. The purpose of the holiday, according to the act, is to be a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day. However, the holiday officially only recognizes those who served in World War I.

May 13, 1938

Stephan Riod, the owner of a shoe repair shop in Emporia, Kan., has the idea to expand Armistice Day to honor all veterans, Emporia, Kan. (Courtesy Ichabod via Wikipedia) not just the ones who served in World War I. Riod, who had been active in a group called the America War Dads during World War II, gets the local chamber of commerce to take up the issue. The chamber determines that 90 percent of the towns merchants as well as the board of education supports closing their doors to honor veterans.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

President Dwight Eisenhower signs a law that specifies Armistice Day as a holiday to honor all veterans. The bill was introduced by U.S. Representative John Salper, who represented Emporia, Kan.

May 26, 1954

June 1, 1954

Congress amends the act to replace the word Armistice with Veterans, thus changing the name to its current form.

1960

In accordance with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Veterans Day is moved to the fourth Monday of October.

1971

The observance of Veterans Day is moved back to Nov. 11.

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1978

A 2010 poster, created by the Department of Veterans Affairs, that commemorates the holiday and lists major battles and engagements the U.S. military was involved with.

1980