History of veterans day

Veterans Day, initially known as Armistice Day, commemorates the end of World War I. The armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, marking the end of the "war to end all wars." The following year, on November 11, 1919, the first Armistice Day was celebrated in the United States.

In 1926, Congress officially recognized November 11 as the end of World War I and declared it a day to honor veterans of that conflict. It wasn’t until 1938 that Armistice Day became a federal holiday in the United States. Originally, it was intended to honor veterans of World War I specifically.

However, after World War II and the Korean War, there was a push to expand the holiday to recognize and honor veterans of all wars. In 1954, after lobbying efforts by veterans' service organizations, Congress officially changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day, making it a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Since then, Veterans Day has continued to be observed on November 11, not only in the United States but also in many other countries around the world, honoring military veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. It's a day to thank and pay tribute to all those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, both in times of war and peace.