Veterans Day
At 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month) became known as “Armistice Day” as the world celebrated ending of World War I fighting. The phrase ‘the11th hour’ became possible in the 19th century meaning ‘the last possible moment’. But some of you may realize that the phrase also has origin in Matthew 20:2-16. I think it is no mistake that 11/11 holds such numerical importance over time.
In 1954, representative Ed Rees from Emporia, Kansas presented a bill establishing the holiday. Various Veterans’ service organizations lobbied in favor of the bill which Congress passed and President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day. Veterans Day, a federal holiday, is observed on November 11 honoring military Veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
Historically, the holiday was originally known as Armistice Day. In 1921, an unknown World War American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. This site became a revered place for America’s Veterans. Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation’s highest place of honor (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These gestures all took place on November 11, giving rise to Armistice Day as a holiday in 1938. The first celebration using the term Veterans Day occurred in Birmingham, Alabama in 1947. Raymond Weeks, after serving in the Navy in World War II, organized “National Veterans Day,” which included a parade and other activities. The event was held on November 11, then designated Armistice Day. The transition to Veterans Day came in 1954 when President Eisenhour signed the bill which changed the word from Armistice to Veterans.
On this day, I would like to salute our valiant men and women in uniform; Duty, Honor, Country. Here’s to celebrating America’s Freedoms!
For additional information on the history of Veterans Day, please visit,
http://www.va.gov/vetsday/
Ref: https://www.va.gov
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