Bet You Didn't Know: Veterans Day | History
Do you know why Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11th every year? Get the whole story behind the holiday. #HistoryChannel
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You probably know that every year on November 11th, Americans celebrate Veterans Day to honor
the millions of men and women who have served or are serving in the nation's armed forces.
But bet you didn't know the whole story behind the holiday.
For starters, it wasn't originally called Veterans Day, but Armistice Day,
to commemorate the truce signed between the Allies and Germany in World War I
on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
The first Armistice Day in the U.S. was celebrated on November 11th, 1919.
All business was suspended for two minutes starting at 11 a.m.,
and parades and public gatherings were held to commemorate the occasion.
Later, America also began honoring its unknown soldiers on Armistice Day,
a tradition that continues today.
At 11 a.m. every Veterans Day, a color guard ceremony represents all branches of the military
at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.
In 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day,
following a national campaign to have the day honor all veterans,
not just those who served in World War I.
And did you know for seven years, Veterans Day was actually celebrated in October?
In 1968, Congress moved Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October
so that government employees could enjoy a long weekend.
But in 1975, President Gerald Ford returned Veterans Day to November 11th
due to the historical significance, and that's where it sits on the calendar today.
And do you know the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?
Both of them honor those men and women who have served in the military,
but Memorial Day honors America's war dead,
while Veterans Day honors all American veterans, living and dead.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are currently over
21 million living military veterans in the United States.
More than 16 million of these served during times of war,
while 5.5 million served during peacetime only.
So this Veterans Day, don't forget to say thanks
to some of the millions of men and women who have served our country.