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