Veterans Day - How It Was Named

"A Soldier Known But to God"

In 1921, an American soldier - his name "known but to God" - was buried on a Virginia hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington. The Arlington National Cemetery burial site of this unknown World War I soldier became the personification of dignity and reverence for America's veterans.

Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an "unknown soldier" was buried in each nation's highest place of honor (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe).

These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I hostilities at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known as "Armistice Day."

Armistice Day officially received its name in America in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 12 years later by similar Congressional action.

If the idealistic hope had been realized that World War I was "the War to end all wars," November 11 might still be called Armistice Day. But shortly after tile holiday was proclaimed, World War II broke out in Europe and shattered the dream. Sixteen and one half million Americans took part. Four hundred and six thousand died. The families and friends of these dead longed for a way to honor their memory.

"To Honor Veterans of All Wars"

In 1947, Raymond Weeks of Birmingham Alabama organized a "Veterans Day" parade for that city on November 11, Armistice Day, to honor all veterans. Later U.S. Representative Edward H. Rees of Kansas proposed legislation changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all those who have served America in all wars.

President Eisenhower, in 1954, signed the bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day, and he called for Americans everywhere to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace.

On May 30, 1958, two more unidentified American war dead were brought to Arlington Cemetery from overseas and interred in the plaza beside their comrade of World War I. One was killed in World War II, the other in the Korean War. A law passed in 1973 provided for the interment of an unknown American who lost his life in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam era. For several years no qualifying remains were discovered, so a memorial plaque was placed in the Amphitheater's Memorial Display Room. On Memorial Day 1984, however, the unknown serviceman from that conflict was placed "In Honored Glory" alongside his fellow countrymen.

To honor these men, symbolic of all Americans who gave their lives in all wars, an Army honor guard, the 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard), keeps day and night vigil.

"Date Too Significant to Change"

A law passed in 1968 changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens. Congress, therefore, enacted legislation (Public Law 94-97) which returned the observance of this special day to its traditional date in 1978.

The focal point for ceremonies conducted by the Veterans Day National Committee continues to be the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater built around the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. The cemetery, established in 1864 and now operated by the Department of the Army, lies on property that once belonged to the Custis and Lee families.

"Veterans Day Observance"

At 11 a.m. on Veterans Day a combined color guard representing all military services honors the unknowns by executing "Present Arms" at the Tomb. The Nation's tribute to its war dead is symbolized by the laying of a Presidential wreath. The bugler sounds "taps." The balance of the ceremony, which includes a brief address, takes place at the Amphitheater.

Veterans Day ceremonies at Arlington and elsewhere in the Nation are coordinated by the President's Veterans Day National Committee. Chaired by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the National Committee is composed or representatives from 25 national veterans service organizations.

The governor of each state and U.S. territory appoints a Veterans Day chairperson who, in cooperation with the National Committee and the Department of Defense, plans, arranges and promotes appropriate ceremonies within his or her jurisdiction.

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