Lest we forget: The History of Veterans Day
- Meredith Bezak
- Nov 11, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 16
Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans—living or deceased—who served their country honorably during war or peacetime. I thank my family members for their service, especially to my grandfather, whose dream to be a professional baseball player was shattered along with his upper thigh during WWII. While he could still walk, he was forever altered inside and out. I think many of us have stories like this, but in case we don't, I thought it was important to write a short post about Veterans Day.
There are several history-based websites that do a much more thorough job, but here is a timeline of Veterans Day, plus some factoids regarding military deaths from our 20th century wars, and helpful resources for Veterans.
November 11, 1919
President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Armistice Day—now known as Veterans Day. The day’s observation included a brief pause in business and school activities at 11 a.m. The Treaty of Versailles, signed June 28, 1919, ended the state of war between Germany and most of the Allied Powers.
November 11, 1921
An unidentified American soldier was buried in a white marble sarcophagus on a hill at Arlington National Cemetery called the Tomb of the Uknown Solider. More unknown soldiers would be entombed there in 1958 and 1984.
November 11, 1938
Armistice Day was declared a national holiday under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. World War II began the following year.
November 11, 1954
Armistice Day becomes Veterans Day under President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
November 11, 2021
A Centennial celebration was held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You can view or download an official commemorative guide here.
How many American lives have been lost in war?
World War I, the First World War, also known as the Great War From History on the Net: Around 4,000,000 soldiers were mobilized and 116,708 American military personnel died from all causes (influenza, combat and wounds). The Americans joined WWI late and therefore lost a smaller number of soldiers in comparison to our ally, Great Britain, which recorded 673,375 soldiers as killed or missing in action, with another 1,643,469 wounded within the British Army. Here are some documented memories from British WWI Front-Line Nurses and Doctors.
World War II, the Second World War From US News & World Report: 405,399 American soldiers died.
Korean War From US News & World Report: 36,574 American soldiers died.
Vietnam War From US News & World Report: 58,220 American soldiers died.
Gulf War From US News & World Report: 382 American soldiers died.
Iraq-related and Afghanistan-related "operations" From US News & World Report: 4,605 American soldiers died in relation to the Iraq-related operations (in and outside Iraq) and 2,459 American soldiers died in relation to the Afghanistan-related operations (in and outside Afghanistan).
Which war is the deadliest? The total deaths listed above add up to 624,350, but we lost nearly that same number of American lives in just a single war: The Civil War (1861–1865), from which Memorial Day was born. The generally accepted death toll from the Civil war—fought here on our soil, brother against brother, and friend against friend—is estimated to be anywhere from 620,000 to 850,000 deaths.
Are you a veteran seeking help or assistance?
Veterans Crisis Line and Suicide Prevention:
Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online, or text 838255
If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889
If you are feeling suicidal, call 911 or visit the nearest ER—it need not be at a Veteran's Hospital to get help
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans:
Call (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838)
For information about housing, food assistance, healthcare and career help:
For information about obtaining your veteran ID, job training, and military records:
For information on VA Disability Compensation, VA Medical Benefits, VA Home Loan
VA Education Benefits, VA Pension, Readjustment Counseling, Educational and Career Counseling, Confidential Counseling and Support, State Specific Benefits
VA Burial Allowance, Burial in VA Cemetery or Arlington National Cemetery (if awarded Purple Heart, or Silver Star and above) and more...
Statement from the Biden-Harris Administration, November 2024:
Thanks for reading!
This blog was written by a human.
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