The observance originated as Armistice Day, first proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson for November 11, 1919, to commemorate the end of World War I. Congress passed a concurrent resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and it became a national holiday in 1938. The transition to its current identity occurred on June 1, 1954, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all wars.
The initial holiday, Armistice Day, was specifically legislated in 1938 to be "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace." Following the extensive mobilization of forces in World War II and the Korean War, veterans' service organizations advocated for a change to recognize the service of all veterans, not just those from the First World War. This led to the 1954 act of Congress which amended the 1938 legislation by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans."
This legislative change fundamentally altered the holiday's focus from celebrating the cessation of a single conflict to a broader tribute to all individuals who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. While the date of November 11th retains its historical significance from the end of World War I, the day itself is now a comprehensive acknowledgment of the service and sacrifice of all American military veterans, living or dead, during times of both peace and war.
