Mark your calendar: Key dates for US Federal Holidays in 2024
United States Armed Forces will be honored on 11th November, Monday to commemorate Veterans Day. Millions of Americans, celebrate 11th November by taking an off on that day, for celebrating the soldiers. It is called as the “Armistice Day”. This year, the holiday is falling during the weekend which means the businesses will be observing it on 10th November, Sunday with the closure of federal and state buildings.
History of Armistice Day
President Woodrow first passed the law and Armistice Day aimed to celebrate the call which was taken by Germany and the Allied Nations for an agreement to end World War I. The armistice occurred on 11th November at 11 am, as per the report by History.com.
Want a Loan? Get cash against your Mutual Funds in 4 hoursIn the year 1926, a bill was passed by Congress turning Armistice Day into an annual national holiday.
After years, Alvin J King from Emporia, Kansas, worked to get the name Armistice Day changed to Veterans Day. Though the King has not served in the US Armed Forces, his stepson has served in World War II.
After the death of his stepson, King got the local officials’ support and that of the veteran service organizations, who assisted him in getting him at the forefront of the politicians in Washington DC with his wife. Dwight D Eisenhower signed on the changed name, officially putting into motion 11th November as the Veterans Day.
Congress moved forward to pass the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in the year 1968, by making sure federal employees were receiving a three-day weekend for observing the major holidays. Thus Veterans Day was shifted to the fourth Monday in October.
However, the majority of the states have kept on honoring 11th November as Veterans Day.
Gerald Ford
