Veterans Day

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Veterans Day is an official United States holiday honoring those who have served in the armed service of America. First proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson, November 11 was set aside to honor those who had fought in "The Great War," also known as World War I. November 11 was chosen in honor of the formal end of hostilities during World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

The United States Congress passed a resolution on June 4, 1926, requesting that President Calvin Coolidge issue another proclamation to observe November 11 with appropriate ceremonies. By Congressional Act in 1938, the day was made into a national holiday "to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day."

In 1945, Raymond Weeks of Birmingham, Alabama, organized a National Veterans Day parade to honor American veterans of all wars. In 1954, Congress passed a bill, signed by President Eisenhower, proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day. In 1982, Raymond Weeks received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Reagan. Today, Weeks' local parade and ceremonies are an annual event celebrated nationwide.