Of all the national holidays our country celebrates - including Independence Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving Day - Veterans Day is probably the least recognized. November 11 has also been known as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day.

First earmarked in 1919 by our 28th President, Woodrow Wilson, the day was to be set aside as a reflection upon the ending of World War I, one year prior. The date was chosen because the conflict had “formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month with the German signing of the Armistice.”

In 1938, Congress declared November 11 a legal holiday, with its purpose to be “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace.”

In 1953, Kansas shoe store owner Al King began to promote the idea of honoring any and all American veterans. The following year, Congress officially changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

So today we remember those men and women who have both served and are serving our country. Their objective has always been to protect us from foreign aggression, so that we may enjoy our inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Sure, you’re free to pursue those great bargains at your local mall or shopping center. More importantly, in that freedom, honor an American soldier today.

Posted by Sharon Walker

Tags: armistice day, veterans day

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 6:00 am and is filed under Holidays. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.