Why Do We Celebrate Veterans Day?
World War I ended on November 11, 1918. Since that day, the United States has observed a holiday celebrating the end of the war and honoring the military men and women who served during the war. The First World War was called "the war to end all wars." The observance of the holiday on the eleventh day of the eleventh month was created to honor the peace following the hostilities of World War I and to reflect on ways to make the world a safer place to live and how to ensure a safer world for our children. The holiday was known as Armistice Day.
In 1938, Congress passed an act that officially created Armistice Day to honor the soldiers that fought in World War I. It was also dedicated to the support the cause of world peace.
By 1954, the nation had been through another World War and a war in Korea. The 83rd Congress responded to the urgings of the Veterans Administration to amend the 1938 Act creating Armistice Day and rename the day Veterans Day.
When Congress approved this change on June 1, 1954, November 11 was declared as the official day set aside to honor the veterans of all wars. Later that same year, President Dwight Eisenhower established the Veterans Day National Committee and appointed the Administrator of Veteran Affairs to be the Chairman of the National Committee.
In 1968, the day of observance of Veteran contributions was shifted to be the last Monday in October. This shifting of the day that was celebrated as Veterans Day led to significant confusion. The first occurrence of the new date was October 25, 1968. Due to the confusion that continued over the following years, President Gerald Ford passed a law in 1971 that returned Veterans Day to November 11.
Federal offices are closed on the day the holiday is observed or, if this occurs over a weekend, then the offices are closed on either Friday or Monday. The closing of state and local governmental offices is left up to the state and local governmental bodies. Local businesses have the choice of whether to close business for the day or to stay open for business.
In 2001, the week of November 11 through November 17th was declared Veterans Awareness Week. This week was designed to target elementary and secondary schools and to create educational programs and encourage the dissemination of educational material that focuses on the contributions of veterans and to their sacrifices for their country. For example, a simple school project for elementary and secondary school children involves writing letters of gratitude to soldiers that are serving our country in a foreign land.
Veterans organizations still sell hand crafted poppy flowers to raise money for their charitable endeavors every Memorial Day and Veterans Day. These poppies are in remembrance of the bloodiest battle of World War I.
Difference Between Memorial Day and Veterans Day
Some may wonder why we have two days to honor soldiers. While Memorial Day takes time out to remember those soldiers that have given their lives in the defense of their country, we celebrate Veterans Day to recognize all those that have served in the armed forces, especially the ones that are still alive.
Take part in a celebration every year on Memorial Day and Veterans Day to give thanks and to express your own gratitude to those who give of themselves to protect us and our way of life. Let them know that you appreciate the sacrifices that they make and have made during their time of service.
So many times these days, we fail to recognize those that serve for us and express thanks. They need to know that what they fight for is worth putting their lives on the line for every day.