Originally known as “Armistice Day,” Veterans Day occurs on November 11th of every year. 

Unlike Memorial Day, where we pay tribute to those who have died serving in the military, November 11th is the day we honor and thank all American veterans who have served for our country.

June 28, 1919 officially marked the end of World War 1 when the Treaty of Versailles was signed. However, violent attacks ceased on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month through an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations. Hence, November 11th, 1918 is historically known as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

In November of 1919, President Wilson stated, “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…,” proclaiming November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day.

Later in 1926, Congress passed a resolution that established 11/11 to become a national holiday. The annual observance began in 1938. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day. In 168, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed by Congress, changing the date of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday of October. The law was taken into effect in 1971, but shortly after President Gerald Ford changed Veterans Day back to November 11 in 1975.

November 11th commemorates veterans of all wars. Let’s be sure to thank our veterans for serving our country.