President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day on November 11th, 1919. 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."
In 1954, WWII veteran Raymond Weeks from Birmingham, Alabama, had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in World War I. U.S. Representative, Ed Rees, presented a bill to Congress establishing the holiday. President Dwight Eisenhower, signed the bill into law on May 26, 1954. Congress amended this act on June 1st, 1954, replacing "Armistice" with "Veterans," and it has been celebrated as Veterans Day ever since.
To all the past, present and future soldiers: we salute you!
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