If you hate the reality and idea of war, that is acceptable and understanding. If you despise the United States government's political striving in battling other countries through combat, you are not alone and this, too, is understandable. However, showing hatred or derision to one who served, a veteran, in combat and survived to tell the story is never acceptable or should be tolerated.
Veterans Day was first called Armistice Day because in 1918 on the 11th hour on the 11th day in the 11lth month the Allied forces and Germany signed the armistice. In 1919, on November 11th, Armistice Day was first celebrated through stopping all work at 11:00 am and celebrating with parades and public meetings. President Wilson declared that this day must be “filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory". Then, in 1926, the United States Congress declared the official end of World War 1 and stated that Armistice Day will henceforth be a day for thanksgiving and prayer.
Originally intended to honor the veterans of World War 1, Armistice Day was made a legal holiday on May 13th, 1938. However, a few years later, with the onset of World War 2, then also the Korean War, veterans service organizations asked Congress to rename the holiday to "Veterans Day" to honor all those who had served in every war.
Canada, Australia, and Great Britain celebrate Veterans Day as well, however, they call it "Remembrance Day". In Canada, the celebration is similar to the United States, however, in addition it is common for them to wear red poppies in honor of the soldiers fallen. In Australia, the day is more similar to Memorial Day, a day remembering the lives lost in combat. In Great Britain, the day is celebrated not on November 11th itself but on the Sunday closest to the holiday, with parades, services, and two minutes of silence.
In 1968, the Uniform Holiday Bill was signed stating that few federal holidays, such as Veterans Day, would always be celebrated on a Monday. For a brief moment in time, Veterans Day was honored on October 25, 1971, however, many were unhappy with this change. Because of this, Gerald Ford, on September 20, 1975, signed another law returning the holiday to its original date in 1978.
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