Veterans Day: Honoring All Those Who Served in the Military

Veterans Day, a federal holiday that falls on November 11, is designated as a day to honor the more than 19 million men and women who have served in the U.S. military.

It was first observed on November 11, 1919, as Armistice Day in honor of the first anniversary of the end of World War I, which officially ended on the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” in 1918. In 1926, Congress called for an annual observance of the anniversary and by 1938 it was an official federal holiday. A few decades later, in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day, as it is currently known today.

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U.S. Air Force Kadena Air Base honor guard members march in the Veteran’s Day Parade, Nov. 11, 2018 | Photo credit DVIDS/ Senior Airman Kristan Campbell

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Thanks to the Uniform Holiday Act of 1968, the holiday was moved from its November 11 date to a less-defined “fourth Monday in October” so workers could enjoy a long weekend. However, this move didn’t last long. In 1975, President Gerald Ford returned the solemn day back to its original November 11 to honor the global historical significance of the day.

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While it is important to thank all those who have served or are serving on a regular basis, on Veterans Day it’s especially important to take an extra moment to show military members gratitude for their sacrifice. Here are some ideas, beyond simply saying “thank you for your service:”

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1) Attend a Veterans Day event

2) Ask a veteran about their time in the military

3) Display the U.S. flag in your home

4) Volunteer for, or donate to, a military support nonprofit like the USO

5) Read a book or watch a movie about U.S. military history

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