Veterans Day: The history behind the holiday & Covid-safe ways to celebrate
“VETERANS DAY CEREMONY 2009 – US ARMY AFRICA – 091110 (34A)” by US Army Africa is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Veterans Day is a holiday celebrated in the United States of America to honor people who have served in the armed forces and military veterans. Formerly known as “Armistice Day”, Veterans Day is celebrated on the eleventh of November every year in commemoration of the end of World War I in 1918 on “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month”. In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower changed the name of the holiday from “Armistice Day” to “Veterans Day”. Later Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill in 1968, which changed the celebration date of the holiday to the fourth Monday in October. However, in 1975, President Gerald Ford returned Veterans Day to being celebrated on November eleventh, because of the historical significance the original date had. Now many countries honor their veterans all over the world on this special holiday.
Traditionally, people commemorate Veterans Day by hosting or attending events like parades, asking veterans about their time in service, flying flags, or spending time with a veteran that they know. For this year, however, some of those activities may not be suited for celebrating during the Covid-19 pandemic. Some safe ways to observe Veterans Day this year include using technology to call or video-chat with a friend or family member who has served in the armed forces. Sending handwritten or homemade cards is also a safe and classic way to show veterans your appreciation.
Veterans have sacrificed to defend our country and the Constitution. We should be grateful to them not just on Veteran’s Day, since we enjoy the freedom they have defended and worked so hard for.
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https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/veterans-day-facts
