Every year on November 11, Americans remember those who died in war. The date is a national holiday.
The United States celebrates Veterans Day every November 11, a date that has its origins in an agreement reached at the end of the First World War in 1918, seen then as the end of 'the war to end all wars', according to the official site of the US Government Office of Veterans Affairs.
But the war did not officially end until the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919 on the outskirts of Paris. However, the fighting ceased seven months earlier, with the entry into force of an armistice or temporary cessation of hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany.
This date seeks to focus attention on the main purpose of Veterans Day: a celebration to honor patriotism, the willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good of those who fought for the United States.
A holiday in the USA
It was President Woodrow Wilson who proclaimed November 11, 1919, as the first commemoration of Armistice Day to honor veterans of World War I.
“For us in the United States, reflections on Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the service of the country and with gratitude for the victory, both for what it has freed us from and for the opportunity it has given us. “It has given the United States the opportunity to show its sympathy for peace and justice in the councils of nations…” Wilson said that day when proclaiming the commemoration.
A law passed on May 13, 1938, made November 11 of each year a legal holiday. When the date falls on a Saturday, the work holiday is celebrated on Friday, and if it falls on a Sunday, it is moved to the following Monday.
In 1954 the legislation was amended by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans” to include all American veterans of all wars.
Later that year, on October 8, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation.”
“To ensure the appropriate and widespread celebration of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans organizations and all citizens will want to join hands in pursuit of a common purpose,” said the then US president.
Thus, Eisenhower appointed the Administrator of Veterans Affairs as Chairman of a National Veterans Day Committee, which included others for national coordination and planning of the celebration.
How is Veterans Day celebrated?
In all states this day is celebrated with tributes, parades and ceremonies. However, the most important celebration is the ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Arlington Cemetery, a few minutes from Washington DC.