Logan Ratick ‘13
EE Co-Editor-in-Chief
Veterans Day is a day for Americans to honor and thank our veterans. It is a day for Americans to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of all United States veterans, both male and female. Many Americans do not know the reason we salute veterans each year on Nov. 11. It is important that all Americans know the importance and history of this day so they can honor servicemen and women properly.
Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally a United States holiday to honor the end of World War I which officially concluded on Nov. 11, 1918, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
President Woodrow Wilson recognized the first official Veterans Day exactly a year later on November 11, 1919. He proclaimed to the American people, “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.” For the past ninety-three November eleventh’s, Americans have remembered the people who fought for our country.
In legislation passed in 1938, November 11 was dedicated to the cause of world peace and celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.” This new legal holiday honored World War I veterans. In 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress — at the urging of veterans’ organizations — amended the Act of 1938 and, with the approval of this legislation, Armistice Day was changed to “Veterans Day.” Therefore, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
In 1968, the Uniform Holiday Act was enacted. Under this law, Veterans Day was moved to the last Monday of October. Veterans Day under this new law was observed with much confusion. On Sept. 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a new law which returned the observance of Veterans Day to its original date of Nov. 11. Since 1978, Veterans Day has been observed on Nov. 11. On Aug. 4, 2001, United States Senate Resolution No. 143 was passed, designating the week of Nov. 11 through Nov. 17 as National Veterans Awareness Week. It calls for educational efforts directed at elementary- and secondary-school students concerning the contributions and sacrifices of our veterans.
Deceased veterans are remembered on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, but November 11 is primarily set aside to thank and honor living veterans who served honorably in the military during war time or peace time. Veterans Day is an occasion to honor those who served America in all wars. Every year, the president of the United States urges all Americans to honor this commitment of our veterans.
At Trumbull High School, Veterans Day used to be a day off from school, but the administration has made efforts to educate students in school on this national holiday. The past couple of years have broached the controversial subject of whether we should go back to not having school on the holiday, but the Social Studies department has decided to go down another route.
Mrs. Rubano and a group of teachers in the department have decided to have assemblies and bring in veterans to class on Veterans Day. This way instead of having a day off to do whatever, students are learning about what our nation’s bravest men and women encountered during their service. It is our duty to take this day and honor those who live among us who made that choice to serve. We are responsible for carrying on the history, the stories, and the heroism.
Interesting article, the topic is refreshing because I never knew the origin of this well-celebrated holiday. I’m excited for the assembly!