NEW ORLEANS — In your Breakdown: A quick Veterans Day history lesson.
Many don’t know the origin of the holiday, which honors the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.
At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the fighting of World War I came to an armistice – or a truce – between the Allied Nations and Germany. Seven months later, the Treaty of Versailles would mark the official end of the war.
The First ‘Armistice Day’ was celebrated on Nov. 11, 1919.
President Woodrow Wilson issued a message, saying in part: “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.”
In 1926, Congress made Nov. 11 a national legal holiday, noting it would be commemorated “with thanksgiving and prayer and exercise designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations.”
And 12 years later, in 1938, it became known officially as “Armistice Day” – still primarily to honor the Veterans of World War I.
But then came the Second World War. In 1945, World War II veterans began pushing the government to change Nov. 11 to a “National Veterans Day” to include veterans of all wars.
And in 1954, Congress replaced the word ‘Armistice’ with Veterans, keeping the date on Nov. 11.
So, on this 106th anniversary of the World War I armistice – and the 70th official Veteran’s Day – we thank all those who served and sacrificed.
