Memorial gestures dating back to 1921 were taking place all over the world where ceremonies were being held to honor fallen soldiers. Those fallen soldiers were being buried in each nation’s highest place of honor. These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). This Day became known as “Armistice Day.”
The first celebration using the term “Veterans Day” occurred in 1947, in Birmingham, Alabama. A World War II veteran, by the name of Raymond Weeks, organized “National Veterans Day,” on November 11, which included a parade and a bunch of other festivities, to honor all veterans. U.S. Representative Edward Rees of Kansas proposed a bill that would change Armistice Day to Veterans Day. In 1954, Congress passed the bill that President Eisenhower signed proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.
