Veteran’s Day is a great way to relax with the family, bring out the grill and cook some delicious food and, most importantly, celebrate the lives of those who previously served and currently serve in the U.S. military. To help you get in the Veteran’s Day spirit, let’s go over a few facts about the history and significance of the famous November 11th holiday.
Interesting Veteran’s Day Facts
Veteran’s Day has been around for over 90 years, and it is deeply rooted in our culture inside the United States. The following are seven interesting and significant facts about Veteran’s Day and how it became such a popular and widely recognized federal holiday in the United States.
Veteran’s Day is different than Memorial Day
Many confuse Veteran’s Day with Memorial Day, which is celebrated at the end of May each year. Although similar and both are important holidays, Memorial Day is specifically dedicated to celebrating the lives of veterans who died during their service, whereas Veteran’s Day celebrates all members of the military, including those who gave their lives and those who are still alive.
The first official Veteran’s Day was in 1938
Although many celebrated Veteran’s Day before the 1930s, the first official Veteran’s Day was in 1938, intended as a way to celebrate the veterans who fought in World War I.
It was first called Armistice Day
Veteran’s Day was first called Armistice Day, and it was intended to serve as a reminder of the end of World War I. Once World War II began, however, it was amended in the early 1940s to celebrate all who previously served and currently serve in the U.S. military.
Other countries celebrate Veteran’s Day
Many other countries in addition to the United States celebrate Veteran’s Day, namely France, Brittian, Canada and Australia. These four countries all celebrate the day on or around November 11th, which is the day widely recognized as the end of the first world war.
There are approximately 24 million veterans
There are approximately 24 million American veterans in the United States today, including 1.3 million who currently serve. Veteran’s Day celebrates all of these veterans, in addition to those who have given their lives in combat.
World War I officially ended on November 11th
Veterans Day is always on November 11th, which is recognized as the day World War I came to an end. The day is meant to serve as a reminder of the service and sacrifice our military members have made and continue to make each day.
Veteran’s Day was not always on November 11th
Although the original intention was to celebrate Veteran’s Day on November 11th, it was inexplicably changed to the fourth Monday of October each year in 1968. After understandable criticism among American citizens, the date was changed back to November 11th in 1975.
The Bottom Line
Veteran’s Day provides us with an opportunity to remember and celebrate members of our U.S. military, and it is a significant holiday that means a lot to many Americans.
Annette Masterson is a licensed broker with EXIT Realty Bob Lamb & Associates in Murfreesboro, TN. She has developed one of the most successful real estate teams in Rutherford County, known as Masterson Network, that specializes in new home construction and residential listings and sales throughout Middle Tennessee. You can email Annette at mastersonnetwork@gmail.com or call her at 615-896-5656 (Office) or 615-533-1660 (Cell) for more information.