Veterans Day dates back to 1919

The first Veterans Day was called Armistice Day and was celebrated more than 100 years ago. 

World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919; However, fighting stopped seven months earlier when an armistice (temporary cessation of hostilities) between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of World War I.

In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day by saying, “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 nations…”

Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 and continues to be observed on November 11. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of honoring America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

The original concept for the Armistice Day celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11 a.m. Photo from the United States Department of Veteran Affairs