ARMISTICE DAY
World War I formally November 11 each year. The day was originally called Armistice Day and commemorated ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. Thus, November 11 is observed in other parts of the world as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day to mark the end of WWI.
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory,”
The idea of expanding Armistice Day to include all veterans was presented to the U.S. Congress by Representative Ed Rees. Congress amended the act on June 1, 1954, replacing "Armistice" with "Veterans." The bill was signed into law by President Dwight Eisenhower on May 26, 1954.
Image Source: defense.gov/News/facts-to-know-about-veterans-day/
Since then the holiday has been Veterans Day. The only bump in the road was the change of date for the observance, which took place in 1986.
That year Congress enacted the Uniform Holiday Bill to ensure that a few federal holidays — Veterans Day included — would be celebrated on a Monday. Officials hoped it would spur travel and other family activities over a long weekend, which would stimulate the economy.
Veterans Day was the fourth Monday of every October, which was quite unpopular. Three years passed before the bill was implemented, creating confusion. A number of states continued to observe Veterans Day on November 11.
Image Source: defense.gov/News/facts-to-know-about-veterans-day/
Take this short quiz provided by the U.S. Defense Department and check out your knowledge of Veterans Day. Source: defense.gov/Quiz/1988530/veterans-day Answers at the end.
Question 1: Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day to commemorate the end of which war?
● WWI
● WWII
● Civil War, or
● Korean War
Question 2: What federal holiday do most people confuse with Veterans Day?
● Labor Day
● Independence Day
● Memorial Day, or
● Columbus Day
Question 3: Because World War I was a multinational effort, many of the Allied nations celebrate their veterans on Nov. 11, also called Remembrance Day and Armistice Day. Which of these countries doesn't celebrate its veterans on Nov. 11?
● Kenya
● Canada
● Australia, or
● United Kingdom
Question 4: Veterans Day isn't spelled with an apostrophe in ''veterans.''
● True
● False
THAT’S ALL FOLKS
This is a little simplistic for most, but it is what the government puts out. Compare your answers to the correct answers below.
ANSWERS
Question 1: Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day to commemorate the end of which war?
Answer 1: World War I
Question 2: What federal holiday do most people confuse with Veterans Day?
Answer 2: Memorial Day
Memorial day became a federal holiday in 1971 to honor the men and women who died while serving in the military
Question 3: Because World War I was a multinational effort, many of the Allied nations celebrate their veterans on Nov. 11, also called Remembrance Day and Armistice Day. Which of these countries doesn't celebrate its veterans on Nov. 11?
Answer 3: Kenya
Ceremonies are held in Kenya about two weeks after Nov. 11. This is because word of the armistice took two weeks to reach troops in Africa.
Question 4: Veterans Day isn't spelled with an apostrophe in ''veterans.''
Answer 4: True
JUST SAYIN’!
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Sources:
https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/1675470/5-facts-to-know-about-veterans-day/
https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Quizzes/Quiz/Article/1988530/test-your-veterans-day-knowledge/
https://www.stonemandouglasband.com/post/memorial-day-2020
https://holidays-today.com/holidays/veterans-day.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_Day