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The history of Veterans Day

Learn about the Emporian who helped create the holiday

Story by Dana Davis

10:34 a.m. Friday, November 9, 2007

As people prepare to celebrate Veterans Day, they may want to keep in mind that it actually started out as another war tribute day.

Veterans Day has its origins in World War I. Seven months before the war officially ended, Allied nations and Germany signed an Armistice or truce.

Blair Tarr, Museum Curator for the Kansas State Historical society said for years the United States celebrated Armistice Day.

"And some of the older viewers may even remember growing up in schools and taking time out at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month to pay tribute to those who had served in World War I," Blair said.

Emporian Alvin King had the idea to change Armistice Day to Veterans Day. King's nephew died in the Battle of the Bulge.

So moved by his nephew's death, King wanted to make sure that his nephew, and veterans of all wars were honored.

"Which impressed a great many people including the local congressman, gentleman by the name of Ed Rees," Blair said. "And Rees was so impressed that he introduced legislation in Congress, making the change from Armistice Day to Veterans Day."

President Dwight Eisenhower signed the bill into law in 1954.

Though the day began, in part, to honor a fallen soldier, the day now honors living veterans.

"We can never really thank those that have served in our armed forces enough. And some might think having one holiday for the dead and one for the living that's two out of the year is excessive. I don't think so. It really is a good way to honor those that are still with us," Blair said.

Emporia, which is the home of Veterans Day, is hosting many activities this weekend. Some of them are below.