Veterans Day started as Armistice Day, so why is it called Veterans Day?

The bill establishing Veterans Day as November 11th was signed by President Eisenhower and passed by Congress in 1954. Before this bill was passed, Veteran’s Day was originally known as Armistice Day. It was a legal U.S. holiday to honor the end of World War 1. Creating the holiday is a way to celebrate and thank all veterans in America. 

Armistice Day was created to commemorate the ceasefire between Allied nations and Germany during World War 1. President Wilson established Armistice Day in November 1919. Once he established the holiday 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…” Armistice Day was first celebrated with public meetings and parades. Once the name was changed to Veterans Day, celebrations were pretty much the same with gatherings and parades still being held.

Although Veterans Day and Armistice Day were created for almost the same reason, there was a name change after World War 2 from Armistice Day to Veterans Day with the purpose of honoring all of those who fought in the Army.