Veterans Day

Veterans Day

U.S. holiday celebrated on November 11, honouring veterans of the U.S. armed forces and those killed in battle. Originally called Armistice Day, it began as a commemoration of the ending of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918. After World War II it was recognized as a day to pay tribute to all service members, and in 1954 it was designated as Veterans Day. It is usually observed with parades, speeches, and flowers placed on military graves and memorials. The holiday is called Remembrance Day in Canada and Remembrance Sunday (on the Sunday nearest to November 11) in Britain.

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Veterans Day

November 11; second Sunday in November in Great Britain

On November 11, 1918, the armistice between the Allied and Central Powers that halted the fighting in World War I was signed in Marshal Ferdinand Foch's railroad car in the forest of CompiÅgne, France. In the United States, the name Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor those who have served their country in other wars as well.
In Great Britain, Canada, and France, it is dedicated primarily to those who died in either of the world wars. The British, Australians, and Canadians call it Remembrance Day . In England it is also known as Poppy Day for the red paper flowers sold by the British Legion to benefit veterans. In the U.S. veterans groups sell poppies on Memorial Day.
An attempt in 1971 to make Veterans Day conform to the "Monday Holiday Law" by scheduling it on the fourth Monday in October triggered widespread resistance, and seven years later it was moved back to the traditional November 11 date. In many places the 11th day of the 11th month is celebrated by observing a two-minute silence at 11:00 in the morning, the hour at which the hostilities ceased.

CONTACTS:
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
1722 I St. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20421
800-827-1000
www.va.gov
Australian War Memorial
P.O. Box 345
Canberra, ACT 2601 Australia
61-2-6243-4211; fax: 61-2-6243-4325
www.awm.gov.au
Veterans Affairs Canada
Canada Remembers Division
97 Queen St., Rm. 329, Dominion Bldg.
Charlottetown, PE C1A 8M9 Canada
902-566-8075; fax: 902-566-8501
www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general

SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 764
BkFest-1937, p. 19
BkHolWrld-1986, Nov 11
DaysCustFaith-1957, p. 287
DictDays-1988, pp. 5, 125
DictFolkMyth-1984, p. 976
HolSymbols-2009, p. 1023
OxYear-1999, p. 458
PatHols-2006, p. 249
(c)

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Veterans Day (Emporia, Kansas)

November 11 and the preceding week

Veterans Day was founded in Emporia, Kansas, on November 11, 1953, and that city commemorates the holiday with a special program of events each year. For decades, November 11 was observed in the United States as Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of World War I. But in 1953 the City of Emporia created a special program to honor all veterans, not just those from the 1914 to 1918 era. The idea attracted notice and gained support among lawmakers in other states and in the U.S. Congress, which passed a bill changing the name of the federal holiday the following year.
In recognition of its unique role in defining Veterans Day, Emporia celebrates the holiday with 10 days of special events, including museum exhibits, running and walking races, essay and poster contests, discussion panels, war films, luncheons, entertainment, and memorial luminaria. Sponsored by the Emporia Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau, most events are free and open to the public. In addition to a blood drive, the Veterans Administration Health Center collects personal care items and clothing to be delivered to inpatient and outpatient programs for veterans in need. On the Saturday preceding the Veterans Day federal holiday, a parade sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is held on Commercial Street in downtown Emporia, and a memorial service follows. Veterans Day concludes with a free dinner for all veterans at a local restaurant.

CONTACTS:
Emporia Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau
719 Commercial
P.O. Box 703
Emporia, KS 66801
800-279-3730 or 620-342-1803; fax: 620-342-3223
www.emporiakschamber.org

SOURCES:
PatHols-2006, p. 259

Celebrated in: Kansas