History of Veterans Day

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following 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…"

The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and

Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and

Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."

On that same day, President Eisenhower sent a letter to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs (VA), designating him as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee.

In 1958, the White House advised VA's General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee's chairman.

The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.

The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

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Easy Soft Caramel Recipe - No Candy Thermometer Needed

These easy soft caramels can be whipped up in about 15 minutes. You do not need a candy thermometer to m ake these caramels and they literally melt in your mouth! EASY 4 INGREDIENT SOFT CARAMELS (NO CANDY THERMOMETER REQUIRED) INGREDIENTS 1½ sticks butter ½ cups/100g sugar 3 tablespoons/45ml light corn syrup 14 ounces/415ml/397g sweetened condensed milk optional: coarse sea salt, ½ teaspoon/2ml vanilla (see note) INSTRUCTIONS In a medium sauce add butter and sugar and stir over medium heat until melted. Stir in corn syrup and condensed milk. Bring to a boil and then decrease to simmer 7-10 minutes or until mixture achieves deep golden color, stirring constantly. (*For lower altitudes, simmer time may need to be reduced 2-3 minutes, watch carefully for coloring!) - See update below recipe! Pour caramel into a foil-lined 8x8 inch pan and allow to cool completely. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt if desired. When completely cooled, cut into squares and wrap in wax paper. NOTES...

Andre Daguin's Vanilla Ice Cream with Prunes and Armagnac

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Gluten Free Kedgeree Recipe

It's As Easy As One, Two Three Originally when the dish was brought back to the UK lentils were the protein. They were taken out perhaps beca use they were not readily available and eggs were added. What is this dish you ask? Kedgeree is a wonderful dish of rice, smoked fish (usually haddock, onion and eggs all mixed together with with Indian spices, butter and cream...if you are feeling naughty. The bold warm spices, the smoky fish and the creamy egg yolk are surprisingly rich and filling. Imagine yourself in a tuxedo or ball gown chattering away about the affairs of the day. Wash it down with a cool ale or light and crisp white wine. serves 4 1 pound/405 g smoked haddock 1 1/2 cups/375ml white long grain rice 1 onion, diced 4 ounces/115g butter 1 teaspoon/5ml garam masala 1/2 teaspoon/2ml turmeric, or a pinch of saffron threads 4 boiled eggs, 2 chopped , 2 cut in half 1 1/2 cups/375ml heavy cream 1 teaspoon/5ml salt 1 teaspoon/5ml black pepper ...

Grunt Cooking Term(s)

Grunt: There are 2 surprisingly different definitions of grunts in cooking: A type of fruit cobbler or pie, traditionally served on America's east coast that is a combination of a pie and a cobbler. It consists of fruit, most often berries, which are cooked beneath a crust of biscuit dough. The Grunt was named for the echo of sounds coming from the bubbling fruit under the dough as it cooks. A Grunt is similar in preparation to the Slump with the exception that the Grunt is steam cooked and the Slump is baked. Type of fish. White grunts could be the most under appreciated fish in the Gulf of Mexico. People love to catch grouper and snapper, but these bottom dwellers rival both species as table fare and can be caught by just about any angler, regardless of skill level. "That's how I built my reputation," joked Dave Zalewski, one of the longest running charter boat captains on the west coast of Florida. "That's why they call me Captain Grunt." ...

Frankfurter, PIckled Beets, and Horseradish Salad

Jewish cooking has a wonderful thing called khrame, which is horseradish sauce with beets. It is probably this that makes us think of this combination. 6 frankfurters 6 small pickled beets, drained and chopped (see pickled beets recipe here) 2 onions, chopped 2 teaspoons/10ml capers olive oil wine vinegar 1/2 teaspoon/2ml finely grated fresh horseradish OR 1 teaspoon/5ml bottled red horseradish cream to taste salt and freshly ground pepper Put your frankfurters into boiling water, bring back to a boil, remove from heat, and leave for 10 minutes. Drain, chop, and place in a bowl with the beets, onions and capers. Make a dressing with the remaining ingredients. Be sparing with the vinegar as the beets may be tart. Add a little cream to the horseradish before adding it to the dressing if you find it too strong. Mix the dressing with the frankfurter mixture. Cover and leave overnight before serving. Recipe by Clarissa Dickson Wright private c...

Holy Mackerel—it's Good and Good for YOU -- Packed with nutrition and good taste

When we think of fish to eat rarely does this “heavenly” fish come to mind. It has rather gone out of style. Truth be told the mackerel is one of the fish that is LOADED with the “good fats”, Omega 3 and the coenzyme Q10. It is not as trendy or pretty as many fish, but even the tinned/canned version is loaded with nutrition and has a multitude of health benefits. Mackerel is also known as maccarello. The slim torpedo shaped fish is found in deep warm tropical waters. It is rich in essential oils, vitamins and minerals. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids occur in high quantities. It contains vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E and K, not to mention minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium and selenium. Anti-Carcinogenic Mackerel can help you fight and prevent cancer by reducing the amount of agents that cause cancer in your cells, primarily in the breast, colon and prostate areas. Coenzyme Q10 helps to eliminate cancerous agents from afflicted cells. T...

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This Super Simple Trick Has Me Peeling Potatoes Faster Than Ever

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