Introduction

The definition of “Armistice” is “a temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement of the warring parties; truce (dictionary.com).” Today the word armistice is most often used to reference the end of World War One (The Great War). In fact the war officially ending on June 28, 1919 with the Treaty of Versailles, but the fighting had stopped on November 11, 1918 at 11 a.m. For most civilians and soldiers, the cease of fighting was more important than the treaty and the Armistice is commemorated as the end of the war. The importance of Armistice Day continued when it was deemed a legal holiday in 1938 and again in 1954 when it was changed to Veterans Day. Not only did Armistice Day change legally, but also emotionally in the eyes of the American people. Their commemoration for this great day went through moments of ecstatic celebration to somber memorials as they ended WWI and were thrust into WWII and the Korean War. The evolution of this great day has a dense history all in itself, and it is one that we should not take for granted. 

Source: https://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp