• 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

  1. First celebrated: November 11, 1919
  2. Changed to Veterans Day in 1954
  3. Number of Living US Veterans of WWI: 1
  4. Armistice signed at Compiegne, France
  5. Often signified by a two minute moment of silence
  6. 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.

• Related Mahalo Pages

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

Categories

• View History
• Discuss on the Message Board
• Embed this Page
• Share this page