Veterans Day

Woohoo!!! We get a long weekend this weekend!

But why?

"The Great War", World War I, may not have officially ended until June 28, 1919, but fighting stopped seven months before that date.  In 1918, the Allied Nations (which included the United States and many more countries) and Germany agreed that an armistice, or a temporary stop to fighting and violence, would begin on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

In 1919, President Wilson proclaimed that November 11th, the first anniversary of "Armistice Day", should include parades and celebrations, beginning at eleven o'clock, to show our gratitude for the heroes that fought and died in WWI.

The tradition of celebrating Armistice Day and remembering WWI heroes continued for many years.  Congress declared it a national holiday, stating that it should be a day of "thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate* peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations."

But by 1954, our country had fought in another World War and done battle in Korea.  It seemed wrong for a holiday to remember only the veterans of one war, especially since World War II required the largest number of soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen than any other war in our history.  So, Congress changed the name of the holiday to "Veterans Day", recognizing and remembering the heroes of all wars.

We continue to observe Veterans Day on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, in the tradition of the first Armistice Day in 1918.

This photo was taken on November 11, 1918 at 10:58 AM.  These soldiers in France were waiting for the armistice to begin in 2 minutes.

*perpetuate - to make something continue forever

Readers, do you know any veterans?  If so, in what war did they fight?  Remember, the holiday recognizes veterans of ALL wars, including modern and current wars.  Do you have any neighbors, friends, or family members who serve or have served in the military today?  What can we do to honor their sacrifices?  How can you show your gratitude?

BONUS:  What do you think the word "mutual" means?

Want to know more?  Check out this short video!