Most people think of Veteran’s Day as a day off from work, but this is a holiday with history that goes all the way back to 1919.
Although World War I (at the time called “The Great War”) officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, fighting had ceased seven months before. An armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, went into effect between the Allies and Germany on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
Click here to view photos of the Marine Corps. Marathon that took place on Oct 31.
In 1919 President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. Veteran’s Day became a federally observed holiday in 1938.
Veteran’s Day is unlike Memorial and Labor Day in that it is always celebrated on the same date as opposed to whatever day falls on the appropriate Monday.
This Veteran’s Day, remember all those veterans who risked or gave their lives to protect out freedom. Here are some quotes to remind us of the importance of this holiday:
“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” -Maya Angelou
“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” -Elmer Davis
“In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.” -Jose Narosky
“I think there is one higher office than president and I would call that patriot.” -Gary Hart
“Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die.” – G.K. Chesterton
“War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other’s children.” – Jimmy Carter
