Why does US celebrate Veterans Day every year on Nov 11?

Team Udayavani, Nov 12, 2020, 11:21 AM IST

Veterans day is celebrated every year in November in the United States to honour and show respect towards veterans who served in its armed forces both in wartime and in peace.

Veterans Day is officially observed on November 11. However, if it falls on a week day, many communities hold their celebrations on the weekend closest to this date.

According to National  Geography, On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations came into effect. On November 11, 1919, Armistice Day was commemorated for the first time.

In 1919, President Wilson proclaimed the day should be “filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory”. In 1926, the United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I and declared that the anniversary of the armistice should be commemorated with prayer and thanksgiving.

However, in 1954, after the second world war had required the mobilization of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen in the nation’s history, after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.”