How much do you know about Veterans Day? While on November 11 each year we honor those who have served our nation, Veterans Day remains one of the least understood holidays. Let’s take a look at some lesser known facts about the holiday that explain why our nation’s greatness has always been its people.
4 facts you may not know about Veterans Day
1. Veterans Day vs. Veterans Day
There is a reason to use Veterans Day instead of Veterans Day. The absence of an apostrophe may seem trivial, but it is not. It’s important. The Department of Veterans Affairs website defines Veterans Day as “dedicated to thanking and honoring all who have served with honor.” [during] wartime or peacetime.” Adding an apostrophe changes the meaning, making it a day for veterans rather than a day dedicated to honoring them. What may seem like semantics at first is anything but. We’ve all heard the phrase “words matter” — well , as well as punctuation marks.
2. November vs. October
Veterans Day is synonymous with November 11th. We can’t imagine it any other way, or can we? Older readers may remember that for six years in the 1970s, Veterans Day fell on the fourth Monday in October. In the late 1960s, Congress introduced the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to increase the number of three-day weekends in hopes of stimulating the economy. She mandated that Washington’s birthday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day be celebrated on Mondays. This caused a split in our country, as some countries continued the tradition of November 11th and others chose to follow the new guidelines. Confusion ensued. In 1978, President Gerald Ford signed Public Act 9497, which returned Veterans Day to its traditional history.
3. Veterans Day vs. Armistice Day
If you’ve been wondering what Armistice Day is all about, you’re not alone. Many younger Americans don’t realize that Veterans Day was initially Armistice Day, named in honor of the 1918 armistice that unofficially ended World War I. In 1938, it became a public holiday to honor veterans of World War I. Unfortunately, the following decades were far from calm, as millions of Americans served in World War II and the Korean War. To reflect this fact, on June 1, 1954, Congress officially renamed it Veterans Day to include those who served after World War I.
4. Veterans Day vs. Memorial Day
Americans have become more aware of the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day over the past few years. However, there is still much confusion. Ask a veteran in your life how often people mingle with them, or worse, say “Happy Memorial Day.” Earlier, we touched on the VA’s definition of Veterans Day. Additionally, their website also states that “Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service… and to emphasize that all who have served—not just those who died—have sacrificed and done their duty.” In contrast, Memorial Day is a time to reflect on and honor the veterans who died defending our great nation. The Department of Veterans Affairs defines Memorial Day as “a day to commemorate and honor military personnel who died in the service of their country, especially those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.”
There is no better way to celebrate Veterans Day than to support veterans. In January, a team of former special agents will attempt to complete seven skydives, on seven continents, in seven days to provide families of fallen/disabled veterans with 1,400 life-changing scholarships. It’s called the Triple 7 Expedition, and every dollar raised goes straight to folds of honor.
Help the children of America’s heroes get the education they deserve with a tax-deductible donation Online Or text Triple7 to 76278. This is your chance to thank veterans by helping teach their legacy.
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