November 11, 2008
President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919 to commemorate the German signing of the Armistice Agreement, which formally ended the hostilities of World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Seven years later on June 4, 1926, Congress passed a resolution requesting the President issue another proclamation to observe November 11th with appropriate ceremonies.
In 1938, a Congressional Act made the 11th day of November each year a legal holiday; "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day."
November 11th remained known as Armistice Day until 1954. Al King, a shoe store owner from Emporia, Kansas, and father of a World War II soldier began a campaign to turn November 11th into Veterans Day. With the help of U.S. Representative Ed Rees, (KS), a bill was introduced and approved by Congress.
President Dwight Eisenhower signed it into law on May 26, 1954. The new law was amended by Congress on November 8, 1954 by replacing Armistice with the word "Veterans" and it has been known as Veterans Day since.
Veterans Day is both a federal and state holiday: a day to recognize and pay tribute to veterans of all U.S. wars.
The Americanism Committee urges our membership to celebrate November 11th by displaying the American flag, attending parades, thanking all veterans for their service, and praying for the safe return of our troops.
Barbara McInerney, Chair,
Americanism Committee
National Federation of Republican Women
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