Armistice Day

Armistice Day

Armistice Day in the United States was originally established to celebrate the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. It is now recognized as a day to appreciate all involved in the armed forces, and called Veterans Day. In its original context, it was the day to celebrate the armistice signed between France, the Russian Empire, the British Empire, Italy and the United States (or the Allies) and Germany.

Fast Facts:

First celebrated: November 11, 1919
Changed to Veterans Day in 1954
Number of Living US Veterans of WWI: 3
Armistice signed at Compiegne, France
Often signified by a two minute moment of silence
2008 will mark the 90th anniversary of Armistice Day

A Brief History

In November of 1919 President Woodrow Wilson stated: "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." The U.S. Congress made November 11 a legal holiday on May 13, 1938. In 1954 Congress amended the act by renaming it Veterans Day.

Categories

Holidays | History | World War I | Military History | News

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The Mahalo Top 7

Wikipedia: Armistice Day | Veterans Day
Official Site: Veterans Day | History
First World War.com: The Armistice | Allied Armistice Terms, 11 November 1918
The New York Times: On This Day-- November 11, 1918
US Census Press Releases: Facts for Features - Veteran's Day 2007
The Library of Congress: Today in History: November 11
ibiblio: Franklin D Roosevelt's Armistice Day Address, November 11, 1941

Armistice Day News

Google News: Armistice Day
Moberly Monitor: Veterans News Update (October 22, 2007)
Scoop Independent News: Armistice Day Commemorated at Auckland War Museum (October 19, 2007)]
Belfast Telegraph: "Why it's Time for the Irish Ambassador to Lay a Wreath..." (October 19,2007)
PRWeb: In Honor of Our U.S. Military Veterans - Countdown to Veterans Day...(October 10,2007)

Armistice Day History and Tradition

U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs: Frequently Asked Questions | The Origins of Veterans Day
First World War: Armistice Day 1918: Some Events Surrounding That Day
Historynet.com: World War I: Wasted Lives on Armistice Day
United States Embassy: Celebrate! Holidays In The U.S.A. - Veterans' Day | History of Veterans' Day
Keuka College: It’s Still Armistice Day for the 14 Veterans of World War I (2006)
The Daily Reckoning UK: Armistice Day (2003)
The New York Times: Nation's Military and Naval Chiefs Issue Messages ... (1920)

Armistice Day Events

U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs: Veterans Day National Ceremony
Vietnam Veterans of America: The Wall: 25th Anniversary Parade
About.com: Veterans Day Events in Washington, DC
San Jose Mercury News: "WebTravel Tips for Veterans Day" (October 22, 2007)
VetFriends.com: U.S. Veterans Day Parade Directory

Armistice Day Around the World

Wikipedia: Remembrance Sunday (UK) | Remembrance Day (Commonwealth of Nations)
The Royal British Legion: History of the Poppy Appeal
Globe and Mail: Today's Canadian Headline - Lest We Forget
Deutsche Welle: Remembering Armistice Day (2004)
The Australian Army: Remembrance Day Tradition
SikhSpectrum.com: Armistice Day
HotelBook.com: Events Guide: Armistice Day (Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France)

Armistice Day Images and Video

Images

U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs: Veterans Day Poster Gallery
Official Virginia Tourism Website: Veterans' Day Slide Show
Arlington National Cemetery: Veterans Day 2006 | Veterans Day 2005
Flickr: Armistice Day Search
Google Images: Armistice Day search

Video

Google Video: Remembrance | Moment of Time 1918
YouTube & Google Video: Armistice Day Search
Australasian Gazette: Armistice Day, Melbourne (Time 2:00)

Armistice Day Blogs and Message Boards

Dispatches from France: Armistice Day
HubPages: Veterans Day November 11th
OpinionBug.com: Armistice Day 1948 Address: General Omar N. Bradley
Pauline's Country Tale and Other Thangs: Armistice Day

Armistice Day Timeline

1918: November 11, World War I fighting ceased, with the signing of the Armistice
1919: November, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day
1920: Sunday nearest Armistice Day established as Armistice Day Sunday to pray for world peace
1921: November 11, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier dedicated in Arlington National Cemetery
1921: Congress declared November 11, 1921 a legal federal holiday to honor all veterans of World War I
1927: Congress declared that the Flag be flown on public buildings on November 11, 1927
1938: Congress established Armistice Day as an annual Federal holiday to celebrate world peace
1954: June 1, Name was changed to Veterans Day
1971: The Federal observance of Veterans Day was changed to the 4th Monday of October
1978: Federal observance of Veterans Day returned to November 11

Armistice Day Crafts and Activities

U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs: Activities for Veterans Day
ReadWriteThink: Lesson Plan: Honoring Our Veterans Through Poetry Prewriting
A to Z Teacher Stuff: Veterans Day Theme
DLTK: Heart Poppy Paper Craft
First School:: Veteran's Day Coloring Page - Poppy Wreath

Related Pages on Mahalo

Memorial Day | World War I | Treaty of Versailles | Holidays | Veterans Day