Veterans Day in
the USA is a holiday to honor all who have served in the United States Military
Services.
Veterans Day 2014 - Tuesday, November 11, 2014
In the USA,
Veterans Day annually falls on November 11. This day is the anniversary of the
signing of the armistice, which ended the World War I hostilities between the
Allied nations and Germany in 1918. Veterans are thanked for their services to
the United States on Veterans Day.
Observance ~ Veterans Day is
intended to honor and thank all military personnel who served the United States
in all wars, particularly living veterans. It is marked by parades and church
services and in many places the American flag is hung at half-mast. A period of
silence lasting two minutes may be held at 11am. Some schools are closed on
Veterans Day, while others do not close, but choose to mark the occasion with
special assemblies or other activities.
Veterans Day is
officially observed on November 11. However, if it falls on a week day, many
communities hold their celebrations on the weekend closest to this date. This
is to enable more people to attend and participate in the events. Federal
Government offices are closed on November 11. If Veterans Day falls on a
Saturday, they are closed on Friday November 10. If Veterans Day falls on a
Sunday, they are closed on Monday November 12. State and local governments,
schools and non-governmental businesses are not required to close and may
decide to remain open or closed. Public transit systems may follow a regular or
holiday schedule.
History ~ On the 11th
hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 an armistice between Germany and
the Allied nations came into effect. On November 11, 1919, Armistice Day was
commemorated for the first time. In 1919, President Wilson proclaimed the day
should be "filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in
the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory". There were
plans for parades, public meetings and a brief suspension of business activities
at 11am.
In 1926, the
United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I and
declared that the anniversary of the armistice should be commemorated with
prayer and thanksgiving. The Congress also requested that the president should
"issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of
the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the
people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or
other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with
all other peoples."
An Act (52
Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) was approved on May 13, 1938, which made
November 11 in each year a legal holiday, known as Armistice Day. This day was
originally intended to honor veterans of World War I. A few years later, World
War II required the largest mobilization of service men in the history of the
United States and the American forces fought in Korea. In 1954, the veterans
service organizations urged Congress to change the word "Armistice"
to "Veterans". Congress approved this change and on June 1, 1954,
November 11 became a day to honor all American veterans, where ever and
whenever they had served.
In 1968 the
Uniforms Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) made an attempt to
move Veterans Day to the fourth Monday of October. The bill took effect in
1971. However, this caused a lot of confusion as many states disagreed with
this decision and continued to hold Veterans Day activities on November 11. In
1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which
stated that Veterans Day would again be observed on November 11 from 1978
onwards. Veterans Day is still observed on November 11.
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