Veterans Day 2022: History, significance, all you need to know

Veterans Day 2022 is around the corner, and we’ve got all you need to know about the public holiday in the U.S. WW2 veteran, Raymond Weeks first celebrated Veterans Day in Alabama in 1945.

What is Veterans Day?

Veterans Day, earlier known as Armistice Day, is celebrated to commemorate the veterans, men or women who’ve served in the United States Armed Forces. It is different from Memorial Day, as the latter only pays tribute to those veterans who lost their lives on duty.

When is Veterans Day celebrated?

Veterans Day is celebrated every year on November 11.

Who started Veterans Day?

Veterans Day was started as Armistice Day in 1919 by US President Woodrow Wilson. The day was established after the end of the First World War as a tribute to the fallen soldiers during the war and to celebrate their bravery and sacrifice. Seven years later, the US Congress adopted a resolution and submitted a proposal to President Calvin Coolidge to make Armistice a national holiday.

However, after the Second World War, veteran Raymond Weeks suggested that Armistice Day must celebrate all veterans instead of only those who lost their lives. Subsequently, Weeks celebrated the first Veterans Day on November 11, 1945, in Alabama and continued to do so until his death in 1985. Raymond Weeks was awarded the Presidential Citizenship Medal in 1982 by President Ronald Reagan.


On May 26, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill to turn Armistice Day into Veterans Day officially. Hence, the first nationwide Veterans Day was celebrated on November 11, 1954.

FAQs

• What’s the earlier name of Veterans Day?
Veterans Day was earlier known as Armistice Day, which was established in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson.

• When was Veterans Day celebrated nationwide for the first time?
November 11, 1954.