Throwback Thursday: From Armistice Day to Veterans Day

It started in 1919 to remember those we lost in the Great War. Before World War II, World War I was called the Great War. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first Armistice Day — one year after the end of the Great War. The day was meant to celebrate peace and pay tribute to the soldiers who helped bring the Great War to a close. Communities across America rang church bells, held parades, and paused for moments of silence at the eleventh hour — the exact time the fighting stopped.

In 1938, Congress made Armistice Day a legal federal holiday, giving Americans a chance to honor those who had served. It quickly became a solemn day of remembrance, especially for families who lost loved ones overseas. Across the nation, schools and small towns began holding annual ceremonies to mark the day.

Then in 1954, after both World War II and the Korean War, congress changed the name to Veterans Day — honoring not just those from World War I, but all who had served in any conflict. President Dwight Eisenhower signed the bill, calling on Americans to unite in support of every veteran. The name change broadened the meaning of the day and gave all service members their due recognition.

But the date didn’t stay the same for long. In 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October, creating a three-day weekend. Lawmakers hoped the shift would boost travel and commerce — but many veterans felt the move diminished the day’s historical significance.

Just a few years later, in 1975, public pressure led Congress to restore Veterans Day to its original date. That way, Americans could continue to mark the exact anniversary of the World War I armistice. The return was met with pride and relief by veterans groups nationwide.

And since then, November 11 has remained a time for reflection — a day when communities gather to thank those who’ve worn the uniform and to remember the cost of freedom. Ceremonies are planned across our area this weekend to honor local veterans.