Front Porch Conversations: On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month

What’s the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?

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Although the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, bringing an official end to World War I (the “Great War”) the day the fighting actually stopped was November 11, 1918. 

This day, November 11, became known as Armistice Day. And, roughly 20 years later, on May 13, 1938, Congress passed an act declaring November 11 a legal holiday to honor veterans of World War I. 

According to e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, “West Virginia mustered 58,000 soldiers for World War I . . . casualties included 1,120 killed in action, 691 killed in training, and many wounded. Many others died of influenza and other diseases, often in camps on American soil.” 

In 1954, after the conclusions of both World War II and the Korean War, Congress passed another act – this time to change the name of the legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day – in order to honor all veterans. 

The official proclamation announcing Veterans Day was published in the Federal Register, dated October 12, 1954. A portion of the proclamation reads: 

“NOW THEREFORE, I, DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, President of the United States of America do hereby call upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954, as Veterans Day. On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain. I also direct the appropriate officials of the Government to arrange for the display of the flag of the United States on all public buildings on Veterans Day.”

On the other hand, Memorial Day is typically held on the last Monday in May, and is a federal holiday set aside to honor those who died in service to their country. It was originally called “Decoration Day,” and was first observed following the Civil War, according to information found on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. Memorial Day was declared a federal holiday in 1971. 

This Tuesday, Veterans Day, America will honor all veterans and thank them for their service.  

Feature image: World War I draftees at the Morgantown Post Office, 1918. Image courtesy of e-WV.

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