As we are nearing its centennial celebration, let's take a look at the history of Veterans Day which originated as "Armistice Day" on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I.

It wasn't until 1938, after Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, that November 11 became a national holiday and was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.' " As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.

Then, in 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress -- at the urging of the veterans service organizations -- amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With his legislation, November

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