Why does Veterans Day fall on November 11th? This is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.
The U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919 (which got passed in 1938). In proclaiming the holiday, he said
"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with lots of 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 U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919 (which got passed in 1938). In proclaiming the holiday, he said
"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with lots of 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."
In 1953, an Emporia, Kansas shoe store owner named Alfred King had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who served in World War I. King had been actively involved with the American War Dads during World War II. He began a campaign to turn Armistice Day into "ALL" Veterans Day. President Dwight Eisenhower signed it into law on May 26, 1954 and in June congress changed the name to Veterans Day.*the power of what one person can do -imagine what YOU, as an individual, can accomplish*
For those who died - you are not forgotten.
For those fighting now - just come home safely.
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