Armistice Day (also known as Remembrance Day) is on November 11 which commemorates the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front, between the Allies of World War I and Germany. The Armistice was signed in Rethondes, France at eleven o'clock in the morning on November 11, 1918. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a)passed by the US Congress in May 1938 proclaiming, "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'."
Called Armistice Day in many Allied Countries, but also know and celebrated in other countries by other names and on other dates. In Italy, it is celebrated on November 4th, the day of the Armistice of Villa Giusti, to end the war between Italy and Austria - Hungary, which was actually signed on Nov. 3rd.
In Poland, Narodowe Święto Niepodległości or National Independence Day which celebrates Poland's assumption of independent statehood in 1918, after being under rule and divided by Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Russia.
Shortly after WWII, Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day in the US, called Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth of Nations, and remains Armistice Day in France.
Veterans Day is a National and States holiday where we the people remember and honor roughly 25 million veterans of military service to this country. Various activities usually occur in the US on this day such as; parades, ceremonies and dedications. In 1971, the holiday was changed to the fourth Monday in November accordance with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. It was moved back to Nov. 11 in 1978.
In recent years, there appears to be less regard for this important day, and many schools and business remain open presumably because there is no longer a 3 day weekend. However, I am proud to be one of the 25 million veterans who have served this country not only in times of peace, but in times of war. I made sure my children remember this day and the reasons we celebrate it. I am going to make sure my grandchildren understand it's importance when they are old enough to comprehend.
To my brothers and sisters in arms, A heartfelt Thank You, for a job well done.
Information obtained from various sources including:
U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
U.S. Army Center of Military History
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