Veterans Day, November 11thVeterans Day, November 11th

Veterans Day is celebrated each November 11Veterans Day is celebrated each November 11thth to honor and to honor and recognize the contributions of the millions of men and women, recognize the contributions of the millions of men and women, past and present, whose military service has kept our nation past and present, whose military service has kept our nation safe and strong.safe and strong.

Veterans Day was originally designated in 1919 by President Veterans Day was originally designated in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson as Armistice Day in honor of the armistice or Woodrow Wilson as Armistice Day in honor of the armistice or cease fire that ended the fighting in World War I.cease fire that ended the fighting in World War I.

In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed legislation In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed legislation proclaiming November 11proclaiming November 11thth as Veterans Day. as Veterans Day.

In 1954, President Eisenhower signed HR 7786 In 1954, President Eisenhower signed HR 7786 designating November 11designating November 11thth as Veterans Day. as Veterans Day.

In November, 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first In November, 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day.commemoration of Armistice Day.

About Veterans DayAbout Veterans Day

World War I, known at the time as “The Great War,” World War I, known at the time as “The Great War,” officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. town of Versailles, France.

Fighting had ceased seven months earlier when an Fighting had ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cease fire, between the Allied armistice, or temporary cease fire, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, November 11, of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, November 11, 1918.1918.

About Veterans DayAbout Veterans Day President Wilson wanted all Americans to forever remember the President Wilson wanted all Americans to forever remember the

tragedies of World War I so he designated November 11 as Armistice tragedies of World War I so he designated November 11 as Armistice Day.Day.

Armistice Day was dedicated to the cause of world peace and to honor Armistice Day was dedicated to the cause of world peace and to honor the veterans of World War I.the veterans of World War I.

In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed legislation proclaiming In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed legislation proclaiming November 11November 11thth as Veterans Day. Veterans Day now honors the as Veterans Day. Veterans Day now honors the veterans of all wars.veterans of all wars.

On Veterans Day, memorial services and ceremonies honoring our On Veterans Day, memorial services and ceremonies honoring our nation’s veterans take place across the nation.nation’s veterans take place across the nation.

Special services are observed each year in Arlington Cemetery in Special services are observed each year in Arlington Cemetery in Virginia as the President of the U.S. traditionally places a wreath at the Virginia as the President of the U.S. traditionally places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.Tomb of the Unknowns.

Veterans DayVeterans Day

Veterans Day is always observed on November 11, Veterans Day is always observed on November 11, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls. regardless of the day of the week on which it falls.

The observance of Veterans Day on November 11 not only The observance of Veterans Day on November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.sacrifice for the common good.