Politics & Government

Veterans Day: Recalling Those Who Sacrifice at War

Nov. 11 has been known as 'Veterans Day' in the U.S. since the 1950s. It was first known as 'Armistice Day' in the wake of the First World War, in which an estimated 10 million military personnel and 7 million civilians died.

Most schools, banks, libraries and government offices in Montrose-La Crescenta and across the nation will be closed Friday Nov. 11 for Veterans Day.

Nov. 11 has been known as "Veterans Day" in the U.S. since the 1950s.

It was first known as "Armistice Day" in the wake of the First World War, in which an estimated 10 million military personnel - including more than 100,000 Americans - and 7 million civilians died.

Find out what's happening in Montrose-La Crescentawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The date marked when the Germans signed documents to end hostilities on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first recognition of Armistice Day in the U.S. on Nov. 11, 1919. According to the U.S. Army Center of Military History, Wilson said in part:

Find out what's happening in Montrose-La Crescentawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

Armistice Day became the day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the largest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in U.S. history, and after American forces fought in Korea, Congress amended the name to Veterans Day, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Second World War is still considered the deadliest conflict in world history, with low estimates of 40 million deceased, including more than 400,000 American military deaths.

In 1954, Nov. 11 in the U.S. became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. Later that year, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation," which stated in part:

"In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose."

By some estimates, more than 1.3 million Americans have died in wars since the American Revolutionary War.

Since 2001, more than 5,000 U.S. military men and women have died and more than 40,000 U.S. military personnel have been wounded in the "War on Terror," including the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the Department of Defense and the Defense Manpower Data Center.

Nov. 11 is still known as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day in other nations.

, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Veteran's Day at .

Did you or a loved one serve our country?

If so, please share your photos with Montrose Patch readers.

Simply click the "Submit Your Photos" option on this report page. Make sure to add a caption telling your service member's story. You can also embed a YouTube video if you prefer.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Montrose-La Crescenta