Gourt > Society > Holidays > Veterans Day
Veterans' Day, formerly called Armistice Day, is the day the United States commemorates the contributions of those who have served in its military. It falls on the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended the First World War. It is celebrated as a federal holiday on 11 November. All major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. Armistice Day was first commemorated in the United States by President Wilson in 1919, and many states made it a legal holiday. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 inviting all Americans to observe the day, and made it a legal holiday nationwide in 1938. The holiday has been observed annually on November 11 since that date - first as Armistice Day, later as Veterans' Day - except for a brief period when it was celebrated on the fourth Monday of October.
Although it is a federal holiday and most schools and government institutions are closed, very few businesses close and most delivery services other than the Post Office stay on regular schedules. As a result, most public transit systems are on regular schedules as well even though they are usually run by the local government. Most businesses claim that its occurring only two weeks from Thanksgiving (when most corporations close for a four-day weekend) as the main reason.
On November 11th, 1953, the citizens of Emporia, Kansas staged a Veterans' Day observence in lieu of an Armistice Day remembrance. Representative Ed Rees of Emporia, Kansas subsequently introduced legislation into the House of Representatives to officially change the name of Armistice Day to Veterans' Day *. Following a letter writing campaign to secure the support of all state governors in the observance of this new holiday, the name of the holiday was changed to Veterans' Day (enacted 1 June, 1954), to honor those who served in all American wars. The day has since evolved as a time for honoring living veterans who have served in the military during wartime or peacetime, partially to complement Memorial Day, which primarily honors the dead. There has been some discussion of whether a person's veteran status depends upon their retirement or discharge from any of the armed forces, however, the term applies to any that have honorably served their country for longer than their initial enlistment or that have served in a war zone as directed by their superior officers or as directed by lawful orders given by their country.
More on [ Veterans Day ]
Wish @nowthatsamatt and @cyproject were here to play cards tonight!!! <3 too bad @RexR is at a veterans day picnic
unflores (unflores) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:49:49 -0000
Wish @nowthatsamatt and @cyproject were here to play cards tonight!!! <3 too bad @RexR is at a veterans day picnic
More uninvited guests at the White House. Epic Scheduling fail? But couple got uninvited to a Veterans Day Breakfast :) http://bit.ly/7PZ19R
bugabuga (Max Smolev) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:01:47 -0000
More uninvited guests at the White House. Epic Scheduling fail? But couple got uninvited to a Veterans Day Breakfast :) http://bit.ly/7PZ19R
Veterans Day events near you. http://r2u.at/QAppVH
yoloneci63962 (Los Alamitos, CA) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 03:21:09 -0000
Veterans Day events near you. http://r2u.at/QAppVH
It's a Veterans Day miracle!!!
punkylip (christina) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:20:28 -0000
It's a Veterans Day miracle!!!
i've missed out on @McandSchmicks veterans day this year and last :( hopefully ill win!
vegasmom728 (Jill Marie C) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:18:08 -0000
i've missed out on @McandSchmicks veterans day this year and last :( hopefully ill win!
BREAKING NEWS: A uninvited couple wound up shaking hands with President Barack Obama at a breakfast on Veterans Day - AP (RT @WorldReports)
Ashrieny (Ashrieny) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:11:39 -0000
BREAKING NEWS: A uninvited couple wound up shaking hands with President Barack Obama at a breakfast on Veterans Day - AP (RT @WorldReports)
A Day of Pride, Veterans Day, Forgotten - Bates student contends that the neglect of Veterans Day is a wonder and a shame.
FamilyEducation Network: a Parenting and Education Resource - Online quiz designed for elementary school students help visitors review the history of Veterans Day.
Meta Description: [ Everyone knows it's Veterans Day. But what do you know about this holiday and the American veterans it celebrates? Take the quiz and find out. ]
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Greetsomeone.com - Veterans Day Cards - Send free Veterans Day Cards at greetsomeone.com.
In Flanders Fields - Canadian site about Rememberance Day.
InfoPlease.com - Veterans' Day - Provides short historical background of Veterans' Day, an overview of the wars in which the United States has taken part, and related links.
Meta Description: [ Veterans' statistics, history of the holiday, war poetry, and more ]
Kansas City Star: Veterans Day - Photo-rich Veterans Day presentation includes chronology of the holiday and war scenes.
Knowledge Hound: Veterans Day Activities And Crafts - Commemorate and observe Veterans Day, Remembrance Day or Armistice Day by making a difference. Includes history, tips for helping vets and projects to get kids involved.
Meta Description: [ Commemorate and observe Veterans Day, Remembrance Day or Armistice Day by making a difference. Learn how to help vets, involve kids and much more. ]
National Veterans Day in Birmingham - Nations oldest and largest holiday observance, located in Birmingham, Alabama.
Meta Description: [ National Veterans Day in Birmingham - Nation's Oldest and Largest Veterans Day Observance ]
Patriotic Pride: Veterans Day - Reflections on Veterans Day observances, along with history and poems.
Remembrance Day - An Australian government site about the day. Origins, the significance of the poppies, the customary silence, ceremonies, student activities, audio clips, and photo galleries.
Meta Description: [ Remembrance Day - general information as well as an outline for ceremonies and education resources and activities ]
Remembrance Day - Australian site with many links for World War I and its impact on Austalians. Covers the history of Rememberance Day and why its name was changed from Armistice Day.
Meta Description: [ An article about Armistice and Remembrance Day and Australia's involvement in the Great War, especially the Western Front. Links to relevant online resources are provided. ]
Sheryl's Holiday Site: Veterans Day - Includes brief history, poem, and related links.
Meta Description: [ Sheryl's Holiday Site: Veterans Day, Remembrance Day, Armistice Day ]
Submarine Store: History of Veterans' Day - A brief history of Veterans Day.
Veterans Day from the VA - Department of Veterans Affairs web site lists Veterans Day celebrations throughout country, relates history of Veterans Day, and provides downloadable resources for teachers.
Meta Description: [ Veterans Day history, ceremonies, resources ]
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Veterans Day History - Includes excerpts from the 1926 resolution which created Armistice Day, the forerunner of Veterans Day. Also includes excerpts from Presidential speeches commemorating Veterans Day.
Meta Description: [ Page not found. ]
Veterans Day: How It Was Named - Articles taken from Oct. 1997 issue of Prairie Wheeler explore the background of Veterans Day.
Veterans' Day - Includes history and lesson plan.
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