Service members make numerous
sacrifi ces in defense of their
countries. While the debts to service
members may never be the kind that
can be repaid in full, paying tribute
to veterans, on Veteran’s Day and
throughout the year, can be a great
way to show them just how much
their efforts are appreciated.
Veteran’s Day begins with
Armistice Day
Veteran’s Day is a byproduct of the
end of World War I, when Germany
and the Allied Nations signed the
Treaty of Versailles, formally ceasing
fi ghting and establishing terms of
peace. On November 11, 1919, the
fi rst anniversary of the signing of the
treaty, the fi rst Armistice Day events
were held. Armistice Day was initially
a legal holiday to honor the end
of World War I only, states History.
com. The United States Congress
passed a resolution in 1926 for an
annual observance, and November
11 became a national holiday starting
in 1938. However, in 1954, after
the country had been embroiled in
both World War II and the Korean
War, Congress amended the Act of
1938 by renaming the commemoration
“Veteran’s Day” to honor veterans
of all wars.
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, N 56 OVEMBER 8-14, 2019 BTR
Veteran’s Day in October?
According to Military.com, for a
short time, thanks to the Uniform Holiday
Bill, which in 1968 established
three-day weekends for federal employees
by celebrating national holidays
on Mondays, Veteran’s Day was
moved to the fourth Monday of October
— the fi rst being October 25,
1971. However, many people did not
agree with this decision, continuing
to honor the holiday on the original
date. In 1975, President Gerald Ford
signed a new law that returned Veteran’s
Day to November 11 beginning in
1978. Since then, parades, memorial
events, volunteer efforts, and other
celebrations revolving around veterans
have been held on November 11
Veterans around the world
Many countries, including the
United States, celebrate veterans
on or near November 11. America’s
closest neighbor to the north, Canada,
commemorates veterans on
Remembrance Day (also November
11), as does the United Kingdom.
Britain also has Remembrance Sunday,
which is the second Sunday of
November. Remembrance Day also
is called Poppy Day, when people of
the Commonwealth member states
wear a red poppy fl ower in honor of
military members who have died in
the line of duty.
Paying tribute
There are various ways to honor
veterans on Veteran’s Day and Remembrance
Day. Federal government
closings, educational efforts
in schools, parades, and visits to
military hospitals or cemeteries may
take place. In Europe, it is common
to observe two minutes of silence at
11 a.m. every November 11.
Veteran’s Day and its sister holidays
mark the honoring of veterans
of all wars, with a particular focus
on living veterans. It is a day to celebrate
the dedication and selfl essness
of hardworking military men
and women.
Explore the history
of Veteran’s Day
/Military.com