On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th
month in 1918, hostilities ceased in the "war to end all wars."
To mark the
event, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919, as the first commemoration
of Armistice Day for "reflections filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those
who died in the country's service..."
Originally, the celebration was to be a day
observed with parades and public meetings with a brief suspension of business beginning at
11:00 a.m.
By 1926 many states had already declared
November 11 a legal holiday. In 1938 Congress made the date a national holiday.
Armistice Day was
primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but after World War II, many
younger veterans had little or no association with the earlier war. The word
"armistice" meant simply "a truce," and the holiday's significance
extended beyond its original name.
In 1954, after
the Korean conflict, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day, and November 11 became a
day to honor veterans of all wars.
In November 1954 President Dwight Eisenhower
called on all citizens to observe the day by remembering the sacrifices of those who
fought so gallantly, and to dedicate themselves to the task of promoting an enduring
peace.
Veterans Day, then, became a day of remembrance. In Canada, Remembrance Day, also November
11, honors the memory of those who died in wars.
Americans now include veterans of all wars, including Iraq and Afghanistan, in
expressing our gratitude for service. This year's Veterans Administration theme for
Veterans Day is "Honoring All
Who Served."
On this
Veterans Day, whether it's attending a parade, a special ceremony, or simply watching the
Color Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery on television, may
all of us honor all who served.
. And may we
realize, not only that the war to end all wars wasn't, but also the task of promoting
enduring peace is still not completed.
