Origins of Veteran's Day
"To Honor Veterans of All Wars"
Raymond Weeks of Birmingham, Alabama, organized a Veterans Day parade for that city
on November 11, 1947, to honor all of America's Veterans for their loyal service. Later, U.S.
Representative Edward H. Rees of Kansas proposed legislation changing the name of Armistice
Day to Veterans Day to honor all who have served in America’s Armed Forces.
In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11th as Veterans Day and called upon Americans everywhere to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace.
In 1968, Congress moved Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. However, it became apparent that the November 11th date was historically significant to a great many Americans. As a result, Congress formally returned the observance of Veterans Day to its traditional date in 1978.
(from the 2011 Veteran's Day Teacher's Guide - http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/)
"To Honor Veterans of All Wars"
Raymond Weeks of Birmingham, Alabama, organized a Veterans Day parade for that city
on November 11, 1947, to honor all of America's Veterans for their loyal service. Later, U.S.
Representative Edward H. Rees of Kansas proposed legislation changing the name of Armistice
Day to Veterans Day to honor all who have served in America’s Armed Forces.
In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11th as Veterans Day and called upon Americans everywhere to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace.
In 1968, Congress moved Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. However, it became apparent that the November 11th date was historically significant to a great many Americans. As a result, Congress formally returned the observance of Veterans Day to its traditional date in 1978.
(from the 2011 Veteran's Day Teacher's Guide - http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/)