United States Commemorates the 100th Anniversary of Veterans Day

Every year on November 11, Americans are called upon to honor the veterans who have served in the country’s armed forces. However, this Veterans Day has extra meaning because it represents the 100th anniversary of the initial Armistice Day of 1919, which came exactly one year after the end of World War I. While the men and women of our military have faced countless challenges since then, many of the themes reflected in President Woodrow Wilson’s proclamation still hold true today.

While Memorial Day is specifically intended to honor military men and women who died for their country, Veterans Day honors everyone who has served in the armed forces. We can gain a greater perspective on the importance of Veterans Day within our culture by looking at the beginning of the holiday and some of the changes that occurred over the past century:

• Establishment — In his Armistice Day address, Wilson praised the “vast resources, material and moral, of a great and free people” that helped the United States and its allies win the war. He also took the opportunity to look forward at the political and economic freedom that could be achieved when great nations act in the common interests of man.
• Renaming — In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower officially changed the name of the commemoration from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. Since millions of Americans had served in World War II and the Korean War, it was thought appropriate that the holiday’s name no longer refer only to the end of World War I.
• Date shifting — Under the Uniform Holidays Bill, Veterans Day was changed to the fourth Monday in October starting in 1971, creating a three-day weekend each year. President Gerald Ford reversed that shift four years later, noting the historical significance of the November 11 date.

Though all Americans should give current and former military personnel respect throughout the year, Veterans Day serves as special call for people to thank those who served in our armed forces.

At Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban, we strive to make sure that these extraordinary men and women get the compensation and benefits that they have earned through their service. Please call 866-866-VETS or contact us online if you have an issue relating to benefits, a service-related medical condition or some other related concern. We offer a free consultation and have offices in the Carolinas and Virginia.