Veterans Day: 5 Interesting facts about the holiday's history

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Friday, November 11, 2022

Armistice Day

Woodrow Wilson, president of the United States of America from 1913 to 1921 | Wikimedia Commons

The first incarnation of Veterans Day was the observance known as "Armistice Day," which was created to honor Americans who served during World War I.

Its name was derived from the armistice that had led to the conclusion of the war, with the guns falling silent on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

President Woodrow Wilson later issued a proclamation declaring Nov. 11, 1919, to be Armistice Day, marking one year after the ceasefire that ended the so-called “War to end all Wars.”

"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," said Wilson.