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Veterans Day

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Written by
Michael Ray
Michael Ray is an assistant managing editor who has worked at Britannica since 2003. In addition to leading the Geography and History team, he oversees coverage of European history and military affairs....
Michael Ray
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The Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and has never been officially named. Hompepage blog 2009, history and society, war memorial day, veterans day, 4th of July, graves
© Jason Maehl/Shutterstock.com

The holiday that became Veterans Day was first observed as Armistice Day in 1919. The cease-fire that marked the end of World War I took effect at 11:00 AM on November 11, 1918, and U.S. Pres. Woodrow Wilson declared that the first anniversary of that event should be marked with a day of reflection and gratitude. The War to End All Wars would sadly prove to be a misnomer, and after World War II, Congress passed a law changing the holiday’s name to Veterans Day to honor the millions who had served in that war. While many U.S. federal holidays move about the calendar to ensure that workers receive a three-day weekend, the observance of Veterans Day remains fixed on November 11.

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American infantry streaming through the captured town of Varennes, France, 1918.This place fell into the hands of the Americans on the first day of the Franco-American assault upon the Argonne-Champagne line. (World War I) World War I Quiz

Involving all the world’s superpowers, World War I resulted in more than 35 million casualties. In what...