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Veterans Day, celebrated annually on November 11, honors the service and sacrifice of American veterans. The holiday originated as Armistice Day, commemorating the armistice that ended World War I hostilities on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed November 11 as Armistice Day in 1919, emphasizing pride in the heroism of those who died in service and gratitude for peace.
In 1926, Congress passed a resolution for annual observance, and by 1938, Armistice Day became a legal holiday dedicated to world peace and honoring World War I veterans. However, after World War II and the Korean War, the scope expanded. In 1954, Congress, urged by veterans' organizations, renamed it Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all wars. President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Veterans Day Proclamation, establishing a national committee to oversee observance.
Despite changes in holiday scheduling, Veterans Day remains on November 11, preserving its historical significance. The day is marked by ceremonies, such as the National Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, and activities honoring veterans' contributions and sacrifices.