Facts about Veterans Day

Veterans Day is not spelled with an apostrophe because: “It is not a day that belongs to Veterans” It is a day for “Honoring all Veterans”

First known as Armistice Day, in 1954 U.S. Rep. Edward Rees of Kansas proposed a bill that would change the name to Veterans Day. Congress passed the bill and President Eisenhower signed it, proclaiming Nov. 11 as Veterans Day. The first celebration using the term Veterans Day occurred in Birmingham, Alabama in 1947. This is “National Veterans Day.”

Fighting ended on the Western front of the First World War on Nov. 11, 1918. Armistice Day was officially recognized by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson in 1919. This began official observance throughout the world honoring those who brought about the end of “The Great War.” It has been a Federal Holiday since 1926.

Colors of Veterans Day are blue and red. Blue represents the Veterans that served the United States. Red represents the blood that has been shed from those who defended the Country.

Countries having different names for Veterans Day:

Poland — Polish Independence Day

Belgium — Day of Peace in Flanders Field

Italy — Celebrates Nov. 4 instead of Nov. 11

Nigeria — Remembrance Day — Nov. 11

Sweden — May 29 — Veterandagan is observed coinciding with the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

Germany — Volkstrauertag on the Sunday nearest Nov. 16

New Zealand/Australia — April 25

France — Armistice Day

Nova Scotia — Remembrance Day

Wisconsin — Does not celebrate this day as a Federal Holiday. It provides a paid Personal Holiday instead.

We salute and give THANKS to all VETERANS around the World and pray that peace will reign everywhere.