From Armistice To Veterans - The History Of Thanking Those Who Served

 

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month - November 11 1918 -   the Allies & The Germans declared Armistice - an agreement to stop fighting.  

World War I would not officially end for 7 more months, when the treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28 1919.  But on November 11, 1918, for the first time in four years, the gunfire stopped.  The draft was cancelled.  And parades and celebrations were held in every town across America, as families could now look forward to their soldiers returning home.

As Hanford Manider wrote years later "Each succeeding year brings into sharper relief that dull November morning when the deep sullen roar of the Western Font suddenly fell away.  After the first uncertain hush of air seemed to clear - there as a new and strange throb in every man's breast.  We pushed off the old helmet and tried to stand up again like men, not quite steady on our legs, and a bit confused of the sudden quiet."

Hanford MaNider, on the Armistice of November 11 1918"

While Memorial Day, celebrated on the last Monday in May, is the day to remember those who gave their lives for our country.  Veterans Day, November 11, is the day we  honor all of those who have served the country in war or peace.  It's a day to thank living veterans for their sacrifices.  

The Sunbury Daily Item, November 11, 1918

Armistice Day

Veterans day is very specifically celebrated on November 11th, because it was originally Armistice Day.  On that day in 1918, schools closed, parades were held, and every town celebrated.

 It took twenty years for Congress to officially recognize Armistice Day as an official holiday, a day set aside to honor the veterans of World War 1. 

Soon,  the  World War I catch phrase "the war to end all wars", proved to be wishful thinking.  

As Hugh Wagnon wrote in November 1954, "The Old Timers have been sentimentally reluctant to let Armistice Day pass away, but the facts in the case indicate that Armistice Day died on Sept. 1 1939, when Adolph Hitler declared war on Poland."

After both World War II and the Korean War, on June 1 1954, Congress amended the Armistice Day holiday, changing the word Armistice To Veterans, so that the day would honor American veterans of all wars.

The change was controversial.  Nearly ever newspaper in the nation had editorials both against, and in favor, of the change.    Those opposed were afraid that the importance of the Armistice would be forgotten.  And, one hundred years later, it's possible they had good reason for their concern, as many have no idea that the day we dedicate to thanking our veterans was originally the day we celebrated a truce.

In 1968, Congress signed the Uniform Holiday Bill.  This bill ensured that several federal holidays, Veterans Day included, would be celebrated on a Monday.  Officials hoped that the three day week-ends would spur travel and other family activities that would stimulate the economy.  This bill changed Veterans Day to the 4th Monday in October.  It took three years to implement this change, and many states chose to ignore it and celebrate as they always had in November.  On September 20 1975, President Ford returned the annual observance to November 11, although this law also took three years to officially take effect.

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On this day in history, November 11th 1918,  The Miltonian records that "Armistice signed by Germany, and World's War brought to a close".

The war wouldn't officially end for 7 more months, but on November 11th, the " deep sullen roar of the Western Font suddenly fell away", as the shooting stopped. The draft was cancelled, and parades and celebrations were held in almost every town across America.

The "War to end all wars" was coming to an end.

It would take 20 more years for Armistice Day to be recognized as an official holiday. And less than two years after that, the world was made aware that the War To End All Wars would not in fact be it's last.

Adolph Hitler declared war on Poland on September 1 1939.  World War II was followed by the Korean War, and in 1954, Congress changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day, to honor the veterans of all wars.

The change was controversial.  Nearly ever newspaper in the nation had editorials both against, and in favor, of the change.    Those opposed were afraid that the importance of the Armistice would be forgotten.  And, one hundred years later, it's possible they had good reason for their concern, as many have no idea that the day we dedicate to thanking our veterans was originally the day we celebrated a truce.