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World War I –
known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended
when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28,
1919 , in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of
Versailles , France. However, fighting ceased seven
months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation
of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany
went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh
day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11,
1918 , is generally regarded as the end of “the war to
end all wars.”
In November 1919,
President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first
commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words:
"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will
be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who
died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the
victory, both because of the thing from which it has
freed us and because of the opportunity it has given
America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in
the councils of the nations…"
The original
concept for the celebration was for a day observed with
parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of
business beginning at 11 a.m.
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The United
States Congress officially
recognized the end of World War
I when it passed a concurrent
resolution on June 4, 1926, with
these words:
Whereas
the 11th of November 1918,
marked the cessation of the
most destructive,
sanguinary, and far reaching
war in human annals and the
resumption by the people of
the United States of
peaceful relations with
other nations, which we hope
may never again be severed,
and
Whereas
it is fitting that the
recurring anniversary of
this date should be
commemorated with
thanksgiving and prayer and
exercises designed to
perpetuate peace through
good will and mutual
understanding between
nations; and
Whereas
the legislatures of
twenty-seven of our States
have already declared
November 11 to be a legal
holiday: Therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate (the
House of Representatives
concurring), that the
President of the United
States is requested to issue
a proclamation calling upon
the officials to display the
flag of the United States on
all Government buildings on
November 11 and inviting the
people of the United States
to observe the day in
schools and churches, or
other suitable places, with
appropriate ceremonies of
friendly relations with all
other peoples.
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On October 8th,
1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first
"Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order to
insure proper and widespread observance of this
anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations,
and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the
common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the
Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a
Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include
such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which
will coordinate at the national level necessary planning
for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of
all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of
the Government to assist the National Committee in every
way possible."
For more
information about the history of Veteran's Day, go to
http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/. |
