As October comes to an end, almost everyone shifts their focus from scary, spooky Halloween to the delicious food and celebration of Thanksgiving. While both of these holidays are exciting and filled with joy, many people forget about an important holiday that falls in between. Veterans Day is a holiday that honors and remembers the soldiers who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
It is a widely held understanding (change to widely held) that we celebrate this holiday in appreciation of those who served, but many are unaware of the history or reasoning behind how this holiday came to be and why it is celebrated. In fact, before it became a national holiday in 1954, Veterans Day was originally recognized as Armistice Day, celebrating the end of World War I. The armistice was a “call for peace” between the Allies and Germany (National Institute of Mental Health, 2023). This went into effect “on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month,” and ceased all fighting between the two groups. The following year, Woodrow Wilson officially declared November 11 Armistice Day and described World War I as “The war to end all wars” (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2024).
As time went on and Armistice Day was named a national holiday in 1938, American citizens realized, after World War II and the Korean War, that the holiday should expand to be more inclusive to all veterans, not just those who fought in World War I. After much consideration, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially switched the national holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954. This way, all American soldiers, both past and present, are able to be celebrated for their hard work and dedication to fighting for the country. Since then, Veterans Day has always been celebrated on November 11, no matter what day of the week it happens to be. (National Institute of Mental Health, 2023). America is not the only country to celebrate this holiday either. Many other countries that were involved in World War I have a special holiday to honor those who served, one being popularly known as “Remembrance Day” which is celebrated by many countries in Europe. While it may not be celebrated on the eleventh of November every year like the United States does, many countries celebrate it around a similar time frame (The National WWI Museum and Memorial, 2025).
Locally, at our own Lewis Cass High School, head baseball coach Greg Marschand honors veterans at all home games. Seniors Owen Cotner-Graves and Julian Davidson shared information describing this tribute to veterans. At every home game, a player on the varsity team selects a veteran, service member, or first responder to be recognized at that game. The veteran is announced in the middle of the fifth inning, and a short paragraph the player wrote about them is read.
Some people may have the question of whether no one in their family has been in the military or fought in a war, so why should Americans celebrate this holiday? American citizens celebrate Veterans Day not only for their loved ones in their family, but also to celebrate it for all the soldiers who risked their lives fighting for this country, whether they served in the Coast Guard, Air Force, Army, Navy, or Marine Corps in the military. Giving thanks to these soldiers shows them that there are people out in the world who are grateful for all they have sacrificed to protect America. It is also important to note that Memorial Day and Veterans Day are two separate holidays. While both have the overall concept of honoring soldiers, Memorial Day is to celebrate those who lost their lives fighting, while Veterans Day celebrates all living veterans who “served in war and peace” (National Institute of Mental Health, 2023).
Whether someone lives in a small town or a big city, be sure to thank veterans for their service on November 11. This could be shown by writing a card, making a sign, or simply telling them thank you. No matter if the soldiers are family or not, it is important that Americans continue to honor them for their courage, dedication, and bravery they have shown.
