Origins of Veterans Day

World War I, also known as "The Great War," was fought from 1914 to 1918. During this conflict, Great Britain, France, Russia, Belgium, Italy, Japan, the United States and other countries, which formed the "Allies," defeated the so-called "Central Powers," which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey (then the Ottoman Empire) and Bulgaria. On the "eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month" of 1918, German leaders signed an armistice, or a halt to hostilities, with the Allied powers. On that date, November 11, celebrations were held in New York City, Paris, London and in other cities around the globe. The following year, President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11 as "Armistice Day," a day to observe the end of World War I

On June 4, 1926, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution asking President Calvin Coolidge to call upon officials to "display the flag of the United States on all government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples." Twelve years later, on May 13, 1938, Congress passed an Act making the 11th of November Armistice Day, a federal holiday.

Initially, Armistice Day was supposed to honor veterans of World War I. But after the call to arms and human sacrifices during World War II and the Korean conflict, veterans' groups urged Congress to consider a day to celebrate U.S. veterans of all wars. On June 1, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/studentnews/11/09/one.sheet.veterans.day/

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{ Tomorrow when we celebrate Veterans Day and honor all our vets who served their country we should also remember the sad reality that an estimated 195,000 of them are homeless and live in our back alleys and under our bridges in virtually every State and county n the union. Many of these Vets risked their lives in the service of their country but now somehow their country no longer has any time or concern for them. If you can do anything in your area to help a vet please take advantage of the opportunity and show not only your support but your refusal to let these honorable men and women to be be forgotten. Happy Veterans Day to all and to all Veterans.......thank you!}