U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919.
“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s 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…”
The United States Congress passed a resolution seven years later on June 4, 1926, requesting the President issue another proclamation to observe November 11 with appropriate ceremonies. An Act approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday:
“a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day’.”
Congress amended this act on November 8, 1954, replacing “Armistice” with Veterans, and it has been known as Veterans Day since.
My thoughts go out to Marine Corps Sergeant Jason Cohen, currently serving.
- History of Veterans Day from the US Department of Veteran Affairs
- Veterans Day from the US Department of Veteran Affairs
- Veterans Day from Wikipedia
- 5 USC § 6103(a)
