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Every year on November 11th Americans all over the country gather on sidewalks wearing red, white, and blue waving American flags as they watch parades march down the street.  Everyone is filled with patriotic pride, to celebrate and honor those who have fought for our country on Veteran’s Day. But where did Veteran’s Day come from? Who thought to make this specific day in the year, a special day to recognize our veterans?

World War I ended on June 28th, 1919. But the actual fighting had ended several months earlier on the eleventh day of the eleventh month on the eleventh hour in 1918. The following year on November 11th, President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11th “Armistice Day” in honor of peace. Armistice actually means truce, or the end of war. On this day there were many celebrations including parades and social gatherings. And at 11 am there was a 2 minute halt to business to honor our veterans. In 1938 congress passed an act to make “Armistice Day” a national holiday. On June 1, 1954, congress changed the name to “Veteran’s Day” in order to honor all U.S. veterans.

In 1968, a new legislation changed the date of Veteran’s day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became obvious that November 11th was an important historic day to many Americans. So in 1978 congress changed the date back to the original day.

If you have a loved one that is currently or has served in our armed forces, you may bring in a picture of them to any Shell Federal Credit Union location now through November 11th. The picture will be posted on our wall of honor, dedicated to all of our troops and veterans.