Today is Veterans Day. And you know what that is, right? But as your kids start asking questions on how this holiday came to be celebrated, you may suddenly feel the need to brush up on history.
Just in case you need a refresher, we've compiled the basic facts that tell the story of Veterans Day below.
- Veterans are honored every year on November 11.
- Veterans Day honors living American military veterans.
- This national celebration was first called Armistice Day when it was celebrated on November 11, 1919, which was the first anniversary of the end of World War I.
- Seven years later, Congress passed a resolution to make this day of remembrance an annual event.
- On November 11, 1938, the celebrations was upgraded to a national holiday.
- In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name from Armistice Day to Veterans’ Day in order to honor veterans of all American wars, rather than just WWI vets..
- Britain, France, Australia and Canada also reserve this day to honor the veterans of World Wars I and II on or near November 11th. Canada's holiday is called Remembrance Day, while Britain's event is called Remembrance Sunday. Britain observes two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11.
- Veterans’ Day is different from The Fourth of July, which celebrates America's independence after the Revolutionary War. It's also different from Memorial Day which honors veterans who died due to their service, rather than those that are still living.
Originally Published 11/11/2016
