This Thursday, as you pause to enjoy some time with friends and family or simply take a break from your busy work schedule, know that your country appreciates your work. To all American veterans of all wars, and those who support them, thank you.
The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, 1918 marked the end of World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” and “the war to end all wars.” In November 1919, President Wilson designated November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day, a day for parades, public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m. Congress officially recognized the 11th of November as a legal holiday on May 13, 1938 – a day to be dedicated to world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.” In 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen in the nation’s history and American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” On 1 June, 1954, President Eisenhower’s signature made November 11th a day to honor American veterans of all wars. Other than a confusing time between 1971 and 1975 when the holiday was mandated to a Monday to ensure three day weekends for Federal employees, the 11th of November has remained historically and patriotically significant to a majority of Americans.
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Thank you