From The Veterans Administration
World War I, commonly known as "The Great War," officially ended on June 28, 1919, when the Treaty of Versailles was signed at the Palace of Versailles in France. However, fighting had actually ceased seven months earlier, on November 11, 1918, when an armistice—a temporary cessation of hostilities—took effect between the Allied nations and Germany. For this reason, November 11th is widely recognized as the end of "the war to end all wars."
Veterans Day is observed on November 11th each year, regardless of the day of the week. Restoring the observance to this historic date not only preserves its significance but also reinforces the core purpose of Veterans Day: to honor the patriotism, devotion, and sacrifices of America's veterans in service to the greater good.
In November 1919, President Wilson declared November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “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, both because of the things from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with the following words:
Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, andAn Act approved on May 13, 1938 (52 Stat. 351; 5 U.S. Code, Sec. 87a), established November 11th as a legal holiday dedicated to the cause of world peace. This day would be celebrated and recognized as "Armistice Day." Originally, Armistice Day was meant to honor the veterans of World War I.
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.
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