Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. However, since that day falls on a Saturday this year, some will observe the holiday on Friday, November 10. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 making it an annual observance, and it became a national holiday in 1938. Sixteen years later, then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name to Veterans Day to honor all those who served their country during war or peacetime.
Some of the holidays are celebrated on specific days, while others change dates each year. In addition, holidays may be observed a day earlier or later if they fall on a weekend, as is the case with Veterans Day this year.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes. On the other hand, if a holiday falls on Sunday, it will be observed on the following Monday. In the case of this year’s Veterans Day, 11 November is a Saturday, so, in keeping with the norm, the holiday was also celebrated on Friday 10 November.
According to the latest data from the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics:
The origin of Veterans Day dates back to the end of the First World War. November 11, 1919 marked the first anniversary of the end of the war. President Woodrow Wilson declared that day as Armistice Day.
Twelve years later, in 1938, November 11 became a federal holiday, still under the name Armistice Day, commemorating those who lost their lives in World War I.
A few years later, November 11 began to commemorate all those who had participated in any combat serving the U.S. military. It was not until 1954 that Armistice Day became, legally, Veterans Day.
In 1968, a law changed the national observance of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. However, being a date of historical significance, in 1978, Congress returned the observance to its traditional date, November 11.
This day is celebrated with tributes, parades and ceremonies. The most important celebration is the one held at the tomb of the unknown soldier, in Arlington Cemetery, Virginia.
Of course, Veterans Day is a federal holiday, according to the Department of Defense. When the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, businesses and government officials may recognize it on both the official day and the following Monday. Schools usually have the day off.
State and local governments, including schools, have the autonomy to decide whether they will continue to operate or join in observing the holiday. In addition, private businesses, such as retailers, restaurants and tourist attractions, can make their own decisions about closing or opening during Veterans Day.
Some businesses may offer special discounts or promotions to veterans as a form of recognition and appreciation on this day. If you plan to shop or visit places of interest on Veterans Day, it is advisable to check the opening hours of businesses and the availability of tourist attractions.
Veterans Day is celebrated in communities with Veterans Day parades or other celebrations honoring service members. The National Veterans Day Ceremony is held each year on November 11 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
During the ceremony, which begins at 11 am, a wreath is laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before a color parade by veterans organizations and remarks by dignitaries inside the Memorial Amphitheater, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Check out some of the events scheduled in the country:
Veterans Day is a time to celebrate all those who have served our country. You can salute a veteran by wishing them “Happy Veterans Day” or saying “Thank you for your service.”
Other ways to recognize the sacrifice and dedication of veterans on Veterans Day include:
Many organizations will be hosting virtual events for Veterans Day in 2023.Here is a list of online veterans day events that will take place this year to honor our veterans.
Musicians On Call – Beginning Nov. 8.An exclusive concert to honor Veterans, featuring Sara Evans, Peter Frampton, Caylee Hammack, Michael Ray, Wynonna, Darius Rucker and more, from The Bluebird Café in Nashville, Tennessee.
National Veterans Day Observance – The National Veterans Day Observance on Nov. 11 will be hosted by VA Secretary Denis McDonough at Arlington National Cemetery, to honor all who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. uniformed services. The ceremony starts at 11 a.m. and will live stream at https://www.facebook.com/VeteransAffairs or through this link.
According to the United States Postal Service, Veterans Day is an observed USPS holiday. However, since the holiday this year falls on a Saturday, it’s expected that post offices will not be open, and mail will not be delivered on Friday
“If a holiday falls on a Saturday, for most USPS employees, the preceding Friday will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes,” the USPS said in a post.
While Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11, it was celebrated on a different date for a brief period of time.
In 1968, Congress signed the Uniform Holiday Bill into law to ensure that a handful of federal holidays, including Veterans Day, would be celebrated on Mondays, with the hope that this decision would encourage travel and family activities over a long weekend and stimulate the economy, according to the Department of Defense.
Under this bill, Veterans Day would be celebrated on the fourth Monday of each October, and the first Veterans Day under the new bill would be celebrated on October 25, 1971.
Most citizens were confused and unhappy about the change in dates, and many opted to continue celebrating Veterans Day on November 11. After a few years of discord with the October holiday, former President Gerald Ford signed another law that went into effect on Sept. 20. 1975, which returned Veterans Day to its original observance of Nov. 11, beginning in 1978.
The celebration of World Veterans Day in the United States is characterised by the following activities and events:
From Arlington Cemetery, the president of the United States paid his respects to the American military and called on citizens to fight against the country’s enemies who seek to “extinguish the light of freedom.”
“Even today, wherever the forces of darkness have sought to extinguish the light of freedom, American troops have always been there,” said the leader of the Democratic Party.
In the midst of the tension due to the conflict in the Middle East, in which Joe Biden has expressed his support for Israel against Hamas, the president took the opportunity to “honor the generations of Americans who were on the front of freedom”.
“To attest to the great deeds of a few noble people who risked everything, everything to give us a better future,” he said.
In the 2023 calendar of the United States, the holidays and public holidays of the year are established, and for the remainder of the present, 2 days off are expected.
Contenido GEC