The 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month

by Charlotte Purdy

Some of you reading this article may not understand the importance of the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month. That moment in time, 104 years ago, was the moment that an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect. A year later, in 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of what was then known as Armistice Day.

Then, on June 4, 1926, Congress officially recognized the day with a resolution that said: “Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far-reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed; and

Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and

Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.”

Almost 30 years later, the name was changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day and the United States continues to observe November 11 as Veterans Day.

Veterans Day, a day set aside to show our gratitude to the many service members who have served our country, is a day that allows people nationwide to take a moment out of their day to thank a veteran. Whether it be by hosting Veterans Day parades, providing lunches to community veterans, or other acts of gratitude, people across the United States pour their hearts into thanking our country’s veterans on November 11 each year, some ensuring that their events begin at 11:11 a.m. on November 11.

We, at the DeWitt Era-Enterprise, would like to do our part in honoring our veterans with our special Veterans Day Special edition. We THANK YOU, each and every one of you, for your brave acts of heroism and appreciate you today and every day!

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” - John F. Kennedy



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