Veterans' Day (formerly Armistice Day)

   November 11, is the anniversary of the Armistice which
was signed in the Forest of Compiegne by the Allies and the
Germans in 1918, ending World War I, after four years of
conflict. 
   At 5 A.M. on Monday, November 11, 1918 the Germans signed
the Armistice, an order was issued for all firing to cease;
so the hostilities of the First World War ended.  This day
began with the laying down of arms, blowing of whistles,
impromptu parades, closing of places of business.  All over
the globe there were many demonstrations; no doubt the world
has never before witnessed such rejoicing.
   In November of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson issued his
Armistice Day proclamation.  The last paragraph set the tone
for future observances:
   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
nation.

   In 1927 Congress issued a resolution requesting President
Calvin Coolidge to issue a proclamation calling upon
officials to display the Flag of the United States on all
government buildings on November 11, and inviting the people
to observe the day in schools and churches...But it was not
until 1938 that Congress passed a bill that each November 11
"shall be dedicated to the cause of world peace and
...hereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day." 
   That same year President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a
bill making the day a legal holiday in the District of
Columbia. For sixteen years the United States formally
observed Armistice Day, with impressive ceremonies at the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the Chief Executive or
his representative placed a wreath.  In many other
communities, the American Legion was in charge of the
observance, which included parades and religious services. 
At 11 A.M. all traffic stopped, in tribute to the dead, then
volleys were fired and taps sounded.
   After World War II, there were many new veterans who had
little or no association with World War I.  The word,
"armistice," means simply a truce; therefore as years
passed, the significance of the name of this holiday
changed.  Leaders of Veterans' groups decided to try to
correct this and make November 11 the time to honor all who
had fought in various American wars, not just in World War
I.
   In Emporia, Kansas, on November 11, 1953, instead of an
Armistice Day program, there was a Veterans' Day observance.
 Ed Rees, of Emporia, was so impressed that he introduced a
bill into the House to change the name to Veterans' Day. 
After this passed, Mr. Rees wrote to all state governors and
asked for their approval and cooperation in observing the
changed holiday.  The name was changed to Veterans' Day by
Act of Congress on May 24, 1954.  In October of that year,
President Eisenhower called on all citizens to observe the
day by remembering the sacrifices of all those who fought so
gallantly, and through rededication to the task of promoting
an enduring peace.  The President referred to the change of
name to Veterans' Day in honor of the servicemen of all
America's wars. 

Armistice Day is celebrated in the UK and Canada as
Remembrance Day.