Friday Factoid: Veterans Day - Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day--a common misunderstanding, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Memorial Day (the fourth Monday in May) honors American service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle, while Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans--living or dead--but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime. (history) Facts: * Celebrated annually on November 11th, the anniversary of the end of World War I. * There are more than 21 million veterans in the U.S., according to the Census Bureau. * There are 1.6 million female veterans, as of 2011. * Approximately 42% of U.S. veterans are over the age of 65. * There are 1.8 million veterans of World War II still living. (cnn)
Posted on: Fri, 08 Nov 2013 13:35:37 +0000
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