Veterans Day originated as “Armistice
Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I.
Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11
became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Veterans Day is not to be confused
with Memorial Day–a common misunder-standing, according to the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs. Memorial Day (the fourth Monday in May) honors American
service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries
incurred during battle, while Veterans Day pays tribute to all American
veterans–living or dead–but especially gives thanks to living veterans who
served their country honorably during war or peacetime.
