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Memorial Day has its origins in the Civil War and was designated Decoration Day. That traumatic cataclysm marked the public awareness of the need to mourn and honor our warriors (all warriors, North and South). Many at that moment in history hoped that this would mark the end of war for America, an unrealistic hope to be sure for the virile young nation – but who could know. No one could foresee the Spanish-American War, World War I, the Russian expedition, World War II, Korea, Viet Nam, Grenada, Panama, Desert Storm, and the Bush Hobby war in Iraq. As American and world history unfolded, Decoration Day was renamed Memorial Day and expanded to include our fallen patriots and compatriots of all wars, even back through the war of 1812 and our War for Independence.
Veterans’ Day has its origins in World War I, before anyone could foresee the Russian expedition, World War II, Korea, Viet Nam, Grenada, Panama, Desert Storm, and the Bush Hobby war in Iraq. While its origin was the Armistice and the Treaty of Versailles, that celebration obviously became moot with the rise of Hitler and the beginning of the Second World War. So while our Veterans’ Day today started out as Armistice Day, it was expanded over the evolution of American involvement in the World’s wars to include the lengthening list of unforeseen combats.
Strength with Honor America.
"Veterans' Day (formerly Armistice Day) November 11, is the anniversary of the Armistice which was signed in the Forest of Compiegne by the Allies and the Germans in 1918, ending World War I, after four years of conflict.
"At 5 A.M. on Monday, November 11, 1918 the Germans signed the Armistice, an order was issued for all firing to cease; so the hostilities of the First World War ended. This day began with the laying down of arms, blowing of whistles, impromptu parades, closing of places of business. All over the globe there were many demonstrations; no doubt the world has never before witnessed such rejoicing.
”In November of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson issued his Armistice Day proclamation. … “
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“After World War II, there were many new veterans who had little or no association with World War I. The word, "armistice," means simply a truce; therefore as years passed, the significance of the name of this holiday changed. Leaders of Veterans' groups decided to try to correct this and make November 11 the time to honor all who had fought in various American wars, not just in World War I.
”In Emporia, Kansas, on November 11, 1953, instead of an Armistice Day program, there was a Veterans' Day observance. Ed Rees, of Emporia, was so impressed that he introduced a bill into the House to change the name to Veterans' Day. After this passed, Mr. Rees wrote to all state governors and asked for their approval and cooperation in observing the changed holiday. The name was changed to Veterans' Day by Act of Congress on May 24, 1954. In October of that year, President Eisenhower called on all citizens to observe the day by remembering the sacrifices of all those who fought so gallantly, and through rededication to the task of promoting an enduring peace. The President referred to the change of name to Veterans' Day in honor of the servicemen of all America's wars.”
”In November of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson issued his Armistice Day proclamation. … “
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“Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 … “
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“By the late 1800s, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day and, after World War I, observances also began to honor those who had died in all of America's wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. (Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor all veterans, living and dead, is celebrated each year on November 11.)”
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Read more at Memorial Day - The History of Memorial Day
Memorial Day link (both the same) in the article is broken.
Do a google search on www.history.com memorial day to get to it.
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