The History Files

Why do we celebrate Veterans Day?

Veterans Day is a Federal holiday that is celebrated on November 11 of each year.

We say celebrated, but is it really, by most Americans, or do we just gladly accept it as another day off work or school (for some), with little concern as to why?

As of the time of this writing, it is estimated that there are 19 million living American Veterans. This encompasses those who have served in our military forces from WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and The War of Terrorism. Of them, 9% are women, 325,574 are veterans of WWII, 2,500 veterans of D Day, fewer than 300,00 veterans are from Pearl Harbor, 500,000 represent the Korean War and 610,000 served in Vietnam on land, with 164,000 at sea.

Veterans Day honors them all. Veterans Day honors all American Veterans living or dead – thanking them all for their honorable service to our country. Memorial Day is the day when we pay special tribute to those who lost their lives in service to our country.

But why November 11?

In 1918, on the 11th month, the 11th day, at the 11th hour, a temporary cease fire was signed between the Allied forces and Germany during WWI. This became known as Armistice Day in 1919, the day the armistice was signed. Even though, the Treaty of Versailles marked the official end of WWI, Armistice Day remained in the public’s mind as the end of WWI.

After WWII and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a day dedicated to American veterans of all wars. It was officially changed in 1954, when President Eisenhower signed it into law. In Great Britian, Canada, France and Austrilia it is called Remberance Day and is celebrated around November 11.

It is important to note that it is Veterans Day, without an apostrophe in veterans. That is because it is not a day belongs to veterans, it is a day for honoring veterans. (Remember, an apostrophe denotes possession 🙂 )

These veterans are dying. We are loosing them and their stories. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us, the living, who know these vets, to firstly honor them, and not just on November 11. And when possible, to take the time to hear as much of their story as they are willing and able to share. When we visit memorials and monuments let’s be respectful and share their value and stories with those in our sphere of influence.

We are still a great nation and much of that is owed to the brave men and women of our armed forces who willingly served to promote our democracy and freedom. They chose to.

It seems like a no brainer for us to choose to honor them and yes, celebrate our veterans.

Thank you Veterans.

Cheers to you,

Debbie