Today, we celebrate Veterans Day and honor those who served in the United States Armed Forces.
As you meet veterans today, thank them for their service and let them know they are honored and appreciated.
Here is a timeline of the federal holiday's origin:
●On the 11th hour of the 11th day of November, 1918, World War I ended with armistice, or an agreement, between the Allies and Germany.
●On Nov. 11, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed that date as Armistice Day.
He said, "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.”
●On June 4, 1926, the United States Congress requested that President Calvin Coolidge issue a proclamation making Nov. 11 a legal holiday, and observing it with appropriate ceremonies. This was approved May 13, 1938.
●In 1947, World War II veteran Raymond Weeks presented the idea of making Armistice Day a day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in World War I. Weeks became known as the “Father of Veterans Day.”
●In 1954, Congress replaced “Armistice” with “Veterans,” and Nov. 11 has been known as Veterans Day since.
Jean Lewis is the Crestview Public Library's director.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LEWIS: Do you know the history of Veterans Day?