Veterans Day

What is Veterans Day?

Veterans Day gives Americans the opportunity to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of all U.S. veterans. However, most Americans confuse this holiday with Memorial Day, reports the Department of Veterans Affairs.

What’s more, some Americans don’t know why we commemorate our Veterans on Nov.11.  It’s imperative that all Americans know the history of Veterans Day so that we can honor our former service members properly.

History of Veterans Day

Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918.  In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.'”  As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.

In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress — at the urging of the veteran’s service organizations — amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting the word “Veterans.”  With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Celebrating the Veterans Day Holiday

If the Nov. 11 holiday falls on a non-workday — Saturday or Sunday — the holiday is observed by the federal government on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday). Federal government closings are established by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.  State and local government closings are determined locally, and non- government businesses can close or remain open as they see fit, regardless of federal, state, or local government operation determinations.

United States Senate Resolution 143, which was passed on Aug. 4, 2001, designated the week of Nov. 11 through Nov. 17, 2001, as “National Veterans Awareness Week.”  The resolution calls for educational efforts directed at elementary and secondary school students concerning the contributions and sacrifices of veterans.

The difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?

Memorial Day honors service members who died in service to their country or because of injuries incurred during battle.  Deceased veterans are also remembered on Veterans Day, but the day is set aside to thank and honor living veterans who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime.  more…

Veterans Day – Pictures