5 Things Every American Should Know About Our Veterans

Veteran's Day is a day we set apart to honor all veterans of uniformed services, whether active or retired. The origin of this day goes back to World War I. Seven months before the end of the war, there was an armistice between Germany and the Allied Nations. An armistice is an agreed upon truce for a specific amount of time. The armistice went into effect on November 11, 1918, in the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. A year later, in November of 1919, President Wilson declared November 11 the first commemoration of Armistice Day. He proclaimed the day with this quote: "To us in America, 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, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations" (va.gov). Armistice Day was made an official holiday through an act of the United States Congress in May of 1938. The day was intended to celebrate veterans with a parade, meetings, and a suspension of business starting at 11am. Armistice Day was intended to honor primarily the veterans of World War I. However, after World War II the name of the day was amended to include veterans of all wars. On June 1, 1954, Congress amended the Act of 1938 and replaced the word "armistice" with "veterans". And Veterans Day then became an official holiday, celebrated every year on November 11. In honor of Veterans Day, we put together some basic facts that Americans should know about our vets. And a heartfelt THANK YOU for those who have served, or continue to serve, our country. We love you! –Wendy Rush, 96.3KKLZ Las Vegas