A History Lesson - Armistice Day - Veteran's Day
The First World War (in Europe it was called the War of 1914-1918) - the ‘War to End All Wars’ - ended (well, war did not ‘end’, but the fighting ended) by agreement of both the Germans and the Allies (France, Britain & the U.S.), on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month – of 1918. The Armistice was cause for wild celebration for the end of unparalleled carnage. So it was that "Armistice Day" began to be celebrated, on the 11 day of the 11th month, of each year. In 1938 the U.S. Government made it an official National Holiday. So a great many of us who DID NOT serve (or were not even alive) have for years, known the holiday of the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th Month, as ‘Armistice Day’.
However, on June 1st 1954 the 83rd Congress amended the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans,” to honor all veterans, not just the veterans of World War 1.
Even after the name change, and with a history of 36 years, a great many of us older folks, continued to call it ‘Armistice Day’, and some old die-hards still do. I stopped calling it 'Armistice' Day about 15 years ago. It did take awhile for me to get used to the new name.
