History of Veterans Day in Timeline
Veterans Day is a U.S. federal holiday observed annually on November 11 to honor military veterans. It coincides with Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, commemorating the end of World War I. Major hostilities ceased on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 when the Armistice with Germany took effect. In 1954, at the urging of U.S. veteran organizations, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day.
1918: World War I Ends
On November 11, 1918, the Armistice with Germany went into effect, formally ending major hostilities in World War I.
November 11, 1919: First Armistice Day Message
President Woodrow Wilson issued the first Armistice Day message to Americans on November 11, 1919, reflecting on the day's significance.
June 4, 1926: Congress Requests Annual Armistice Day Proclamation
On June 4, 1926, the United States Congress requested that President Calvin Coolidge issue annual proclamations for Armistice Day observances.
May 13, 1938: Armistice Day Becomes a Legal Holiday
On May 13, 1938, Congress officially declared November 11 a legal holiday, known as Armistice Day, dedicated to world peace.
1945: Raymond Weeks Conceives Veterans Day
In 1945, World War II veteran Raymond Weeks proposed expanding Armistice Day to honor all veterans.
1947: First National Veterans Day Celebration
Raymond Weeks organized and led the first national Veterans Day celebration in 1947 in Alabama.
May 26, 1954: Veterans Day Bill Signed into Law
President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill establishing Veterans Day into law on May 26, 1954.
June 1, 1954: "Armistice" Officially Replaced with "Veterans"
On June 1, 1954, Congress officially changed the name of the holiday from "Armistice Day" to "Veterans Day".
1954: Armistice Day Renamed Veterans Day
In 1954, Armistice Day was officially renamed Veterans Day to honor all U.S. military veterans.
1954: National Veterans Award Created
The National Veterans Award was created in 1954, with Congressman Rees receiving the first award for his legislative contributions to Veterans Day.
October 25, 1971: Veterans Day Moved to Fourth Monday of October
In accordance with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday of October in 1971, leading to several years of observance on different October dates.
1978: Veterans Day Restored to November 11
Veterans Day was returned to its original date of November 11 in 1978.
1982: Raymond Weeks Receives Presidential Citizenship Medal
President Reagan awarded Raymond Weeks the Presidential Citizenship Medal in 1982 for his role in establishing Veterans Day.
1985: Death of Raymond Weeks
Raymond Weeks passed away in 1985.
2010: Society for Human Resource Management Poll
In 2010, a poll by the Society for Human Resource Management revealed that 21 percent of employers planned to observe Veterans Day in 2011.