The History of Veterans Day
As Land O' Lakes residents reflect on those who served and those who continue to serve, here is a look at the origin of the day designated in their honor.
Information provided by U.S. Census Bureau and its 2011 American Community Survey. Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 to change the name to Veterans Day as a way to honor those who served in all American wars. The day honors military veterans with parades and speeches across the nation. A national ceremony takes place at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. 21.5 million The number of military veterans in the United States in 2011. 1.6 million The number of …
