This article appears for archival purposes. Any events, programs and/or initiatives mentioned may no longer be applicable.
Veterans Day honors all service members, whether living or deceased, who’ve served in times of war or peace. This Veterans Day, Scottsdale Community College extends a heartfelt thank you to all service members: past, current, and future. We also thank the families of those who have served – your sacrifice is deeply appreciated.
Though World War I officially ended on June 28, 1919, the fighting ceased months earlier when an armistice – a temporary cessation of hostilities – between Germany and the Allied nations took effect. This cessation occurred on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
In November of the following year, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 “Armistice Day.” President Wilson announced the holiday with these words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations . . . ”
In 1926, Congress officially recognized November 11, 1918, as the end of World War I. In 1938, an Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) declared November 11 of each year a legal holiday. While initially a day set aside to honor World War I veterans, in 1954 – following World War II and the service of American forces in Korea – the 83rd Congress, at the behest of veterans’ service organizations, struck the word “Armistice” and replaced it with “Veterans.” The legislation was approved on June 1, 1954 (Public Law 380), and November 11 became a day to honor all American veterans.
As a reminder, SCC’s Veteran Services department provides support and resources to help our nation’s service women and men achieve their educational goals. Visit Veteran Services for additional information or to locate community resources.
Historical information included in this post provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Scottsdale Community College, in conjunction with our sister schools in the Maricopa County Community Colleges network, created a video celebrating and honoring our Nation’s veterans.