Veteran's Day

The Treaty of Versailles was signed between the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918; ending World War I.

President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first remembrance of Armistice Day on November 11, 1919 to honor those who gave their lives during WWI; the Great War. The original concept for the celebration was for the suspense of business for a two minute period starting at 11 am. Parades and public meetings were also held.

On the second anniversary, President Wilson named the Sunday nearest Armistice Day; Armistice Sunday. Services were to be held in the interest of national peace.

In 1921 Congress passed legislation approving the establishment of a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at         Arlington National Cemetery. Congress then declared November 11, 1921 as a legal Federal holiday to honor all who participated in the war.

In June of 1926 Congress passed a resolution, requesting that President Calvin Coolidge issue a proclamation to observe November 11th with ceremonies. A Congressional Act approved November 11 in each year as a legal holiday : "to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'."

In 1945, Raymond Weeks a WWII veteran had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans.    Mr. Weeks led a delegation to General Dwight Eisenhower, who was in support of a National Veterans Day.  On May 26, 1954 President Eisenhower  signed a bill establishing Veterans Day as a holiday.

In June of 1954, Congress replaced  the word “Armistice”  with the word “Veterans”, making November 11th Veterans Day.  

 Thank you to everyone that has served and is serving our country!