Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, is a federal holiday observed on November 11th in honour of all those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. This holiday coincides with others such as Remembrance Day and Armistice Day observed in other countries across the world to mark the anniversary of the end of World War I which took place in 1918. In the United States, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day following requests from major veteran organizations. However, Veterans Day is different from Memorial Day which celebrates those who have lost their lives while in military service.
During the early 20th century, World War I, also known as the “Great War,” ensued. This war marked the first war of such massive proportions like never seen before. However, the war ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed in France in 1919 but the end of the war was recognized in November 11th, 1918. It was a unique timing of the armistice with Germany on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. It was considered the end of “the war to end all wars”.
Woodrow Wilson was the first American president who proclaimed November 11th as Armistice Day, reflecting America’s view of a resolution of the Great War. According to Wilson, America would hold the day in honour with deep reflections about the nation because of those who died in service to the country and with gratitude for all their successes. Additionally, Veterans Day was appreciated due to the fact that it allowed the country to move on with plenty of opportunities to come together with peace. The original idea for this holiday was that it should be held by having parades, public gatherings, and brief suspensions of business hours at 11:00 am.
Congress recognized the end of World War I in 1926 by passing a resolution matching the president’s. As a result, an act was passed by the state on May 13, 1938 which introduced November 11th every year as a legal holiday. This holiday would be celebrated and dedicated to world peace as well as to honour the World War I veterans.
However, following World War II’s requirement of the greatest mobilization of service men ever, from soldiers to pilots and marine officers, in addition to American military personnel fighting other wars across such as the hostility in Korea, the 83rd Congress, urged by multiple veteran organizations, amended the 1938 Act and renamed the holiday Veterans Day. With the approval of this law on June 1st, 1954, November 11th became the official day for honouring all American veterans regardless of the wars they took part in. Later that year, then President Dwight Eisenhower issued the first Veterans Day proclamation and appointed the Head of the Veterans Affairs, Harvey Higley, to lead a committee to work on the observance of the holiday throughout the country.
The Uniform Holiday Bill was signed on June 28, 1968, causing the date to be shifted to October 25th. This was done to create three day weekends which could promote the travel and tourism industries. However, this did not settle well with most states as they continued celebrating this holiday on the original date. On September 20th, 1968, President Gerald Ford signed the law 94-47 which returned the day of observance back to its original date beginning in 1978. From then on, Veterans Day has been observed on November 11th regardless of the day of the week on which this date falls
The most common activities practiced in most nations in celebration of Veterans Day involves holding 1-2 minutes of silence in honor of the fallen at 11:00 a.m. In America, most homes are decorated with the American flag and churches are crowded with congregants praying for those who have passed away. Additionally, this holiday is marked with parades and speeches which are given by veterans themselves among other high ranking people in society. Being a statutory holiday, banks and other official offices are closed. In some regions, people visit the graves of their loved ones who passed away during their service. However, following the commercialization of this holiday, some businesses seize the opportunity and make products that are significant to the commemoration of the fallen soldiers.
Below is a list of regions that also celebrate Veterans Day as well as their traditions.
Canada
Canada celebrates Remembrance Day, the Commonwealth nations’ alternative to Veterans Day. It is celebrated in six provinces and three territories. In some places, such as Manitoba, business is prohibited for some hours between 9:00 am and 11:00 am.
A two-minute silence is observed throughout Britain and the Royal British Legion distributes poppies for the public to wear on their lapels in honor of their veterans.
France
In France, Armistice Day is celebrated with parades in various parts of the country which usually end at war memorials. Representatives from the memorials lay wreaths at war memorials such as the Ring of Remembrance at the iconic Notre Dame church and the Tomb of the unknown soldier in Paris.
Belgium
In Belgium, this day is marked by observing a minute of silence at 11:00 am, similar to France, and during this time businesses are closed. Additionally, poppies are dropped from the top of the Menin Gate.
New Zealand and Australia
New Zealand and Australia honour their fallen soldiers on Anzac Day which is observed annually on April 25th. Veterans and soldiers typically attend a commemorative service in the morning.
Germany
In Germany, veterans are celebrated on the Sunday closest to November 16th during Volkstrautertag. The German Chancellor reads speeches in front of the assembled members of the diplomatic corps and government officials. Additionally, people sing ‘I had a comrade’ after the German anthem is sung.
Italy
In Italy, Veterans Day is celebrated on November 4th in memory of World War I heroes.
For years, Nigeria celebrated Remembrance Day on November 11th as part of the British Commonwealth. However, today it celebrates its own soldiers, who were victims of its civil war on January 15th.
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