Veterans Day: A History WorldWar I began, known at the time as “The Great War.” 1914 WorldWar I ended 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 this reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of the “war to end all wars.” U.S. Congress officially recognized the end of WorldWar I after concurrent resolution was passed with the following 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.” 1918 1919 1926 The Treaty of Versailles was signed in the Palace of Versailles in France, officially declaring the end toWorldWar I. President Wilson proclaimed November 11th 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 fromwhich it has freed us and because of the opportunity is has given to America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…” ME D I CA L QUA L I T Y A S S UR ANC E | F L O R I D A V E T E R A N H E A L T H H E R O E S 0 3 1938 November 11th was made an annual legal holiday, dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTAzNzA4