Herbert Williams American Legion Post 202
3669 Legion Lane
Columbia, MO 65205
THE 11TH HOUR OF THE 11TH DAY OF THE 11TH MONTH
A brief history of Veterans Day by Paul Hobbs
November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of World War I, often referred to as “the war to end all wars.” The major hostilities of WWI were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. A year later, in November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of “Armistice Day.”
In 1921, Congress passed legislation approving the establishment of a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Armistice Day, November 11 was chosen as the date of the interment ceremony for an Unknown Soldier who had been exhumed from a cemetery in France.
On May 13, 1938, an Act was approved that made the 11th of November a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day", a day set aside to honor Veterans of World War I.
In 1953, Alvin J. King, the owner of a shoe store in Emporia, Kansas, whose stepson was killed in WWII, had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate and honor all Veterans, not just those who served in World War I. King had been actively involved with the American War Dads during World War II and had began a campaign to turn Armistice Day into "All" Veterans Day. His campaigning was successful and in 1954 the 83rd Congress amended the Act of 1938 to remove the word "Armistice" and insert in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American Veterans of all wars. Similarly, Great Britain, Australia and Canada have established November 11 as their “Remembrance Day.”
On June 28, 1968, The Uniform Holiday Bill was signed into law. This Bill was intended to provide three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day and Veterans Day. The intent was that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states protested this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.
The first Veterans Day under the new Law was observed on October 25, 1971. It became very apparent that the connection of this day to November 11 was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of people, and on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 which returned the observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. The restoration of this date supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, Veterans’ service organizations and the American people.
In the fall of 2003 the 108th Congress passed CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 159 declaring Emporia, Kansas, to be the founding city of the Veterans Day holiday. This Resolution also recognized the contributions of Alvin King and Representative Ed Rees for the enactment into law the observance of Veterans Day. Within the Resolution are these Statements:
Whereas in 1953, Alvin J. King of Emporia, Kansas, proposed that Armistice Day be changed to Veterans Day to recognize and honor all veterans from all wars and conflicts;
Whereas in 1953, Veterans Day was first organized and celebrated in Emporia, Kansas;
Whereas although Alvin King was only 15 years old when the United States went to war in 1917 and never served in the Armed Forces, he had a deep respect for veterans;
The history, wars and conflicts behind this important holiday should remind all Americans that Freedom is not free. The sacrifices of Veterans are immeasurable and must be recognized and honored. Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls. 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 the Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, their love of country, their willingness to serve and above all else, their sacrifice for the preservation of Freedom.
