Understanding The Importance Of Veterans Day

Veterans Day is celebrated every year on November 11 (Credit: Freepik.com/ CC-BY-SA-2.0)

Veterans Day, celebrated annually on November 11, honors the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces. This US federal holiday pays tribute to everyone who has served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, National Guard, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

There is often confusion between Veterans Day and Memorial Day, which is marked on the last Monday of May. While both honor the American military, they serve different purposes. Memorial Day commemorates US soldiers who died in war. Veterans Day celebrates all American soldiers — both living and deceased. However, the primary reason for the holiday is to thank living veterans for their service and sacrifices.

Memorial Day and Veterans Day both honor the military (Credit: USMemorialday.org/ CC-BY-SA-2.0)

Veterans Day was initially called Armistice Day. US President Woodrow Wilson established it on November 11, 1919, to honor the soldiers of World War I. The date marked the first anniversary of the November 11, 1918, ceasefire agreement, or armistice, between the Allied Nations and Germany. This agreement led to the Treaty of Versailles, which ended the war on June 28, 1919. Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to include soldiers who served in subsequent conflicts, including World War II (1939 — 1945) and the Korean War (1950 — 1953).

Veterans Day continued to be celebrated on November 11 until the passing of the 1968 Uniform Holiday Bill. This new law aimed to provide Americans with three-day weekends. It changed the dates of four federal holidays, including Veterans Day, to a predetermined Monday. As a result, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday in October. However, due to the date's historical significance, many states continued to observe the holiday on November 11.

Veterans Day Parade in New York City in 2009 (Credit: Petty Officer 2nd Class Annie Elis/ Public Domain/ Wikimedia Commons)

In 1975, President Gerald Ford ended the confusion by changing Veterans Day to its original date. The law went into effect in 1978, and since then, the holiday has always been celebrated on November 11. Many other countries also honor their soldiers on November 11. France and New Zealand continue to observe the holiday as Armistice Day. The UK, Australia, and Canada call it Remembrance Day. Malta and South Africa celebrate it as Poppy Day.

There are many ways to appreciate the brave US servicemen and women on this special day. You can participate in your city or town's parade or donate food and supplies to nearby veteran centers. Even better, spend quality time reading to or talking with elderly or injured soldiers. You might also volunteer with veteran organizations or send care packages and letters to active-duty personnel.