Happy Veterans Day!

November 11th has always been a day of observance since the very beginning. It all started at the end of first World War. It was on this day that a treaty between the Allied Nations and Germany was signed and regarded as "the war to end all wars." It wasn't until 1919 that President Wilson declared that November 11th be regarded as Armistice Day where they celebrate soldiers who had fought in WW1. Originally, Armistice Day was supposed to only celebrate those who had fought in WW1, but at the end of WW2 in 1954, Armistice Day then started to celebrate veterans of all wars. 

However, Veterans Day wasn't always observed on November 11th. In fact, on June 28th 1968, the Uniform Holiday Bill was signed in order to ensure a three-day weekend for federal employees. With this bill, the four national holidays (Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Washington's birthday, and Columbus Day) were all celebrated on a Monday. This was to encourage travel among the federal employee's families and it was to stimulate more industrial and commercial production. However, because there was so much confusion with the dates and most states didn't agree with this bill, therefore the four holidays were celebrated on their original dates. 

Therefore, on September 20th, 1975 President Ford signed Public Law 94-97 which returned Veterans Day to its original date of November 11th. Despite the constant changing of dates and names, Veterans Day is still celebrated as a day to give thanks to the brave men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our country. Veterans Day is meant to celebrate those who selflessly gave their lives to protect our country. Therefore, Veterans Day not only is meant to honor and celebrate those soldiers but also, to thank them for protecting us and our freedoms. 

To me, Veterans Day is more than just a day off I get from school. Veterans Day is a day where I can thank friends, family members, and strangers who fight for my freedoms and our country. Whether you agree or disagree with the way our wars our country fights in, you can't disagree with the men and women who selflessly fight them. Happy Veterans Day to all who selflessly serve and have served our country.