Veterans Day

or

Armistice Day

Collins, Marjory, photographer. Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Armistice Day parade. Pennsylvania Lancaster County United States Lancaster, 1942. Nov. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017839834/.

In 1917, the United States reluctantly entered the Great War to “make the world safe for democracy”. By the war’s end, 4 million Americans served, with over 100,000 making the ultimate sacrifice. For the first time, women served in the enlisted ranks. The armistice which ended fighting took affect at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month 1918.

A year later President Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day observance. In 1926, Congress passed a resolution recognizing Armistice Day as an annual day of “thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace”.

In 1941 and 1950, Americans were again called on to defend democracy
abroad. President Eisenhower, a combat veteran himself, signed legislation in 1954 changing the holiday’s name to Veterans Day.

The Uniform Holidays Bill moved the observance of Veterans Day to the 4th Friday of October, in 1971. However, historical the significance of 11 November prevailed, and the holiday was moved back in 1978.