Tomorrow on Nov. 11, the United States celebrates Veterans Day and the Guthrie News Leader has the holiday covered.
Let’s dive into the history of the annual federal holiday set to honor all veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces.
Veterans Day is celebrated on Nov. 11 as a commemoration of the anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I. The hostilities from WWI ended on Nov. 11 during the 11th hour in 1918.
The holiday, formerly known as “Armistice Day”, originally intended to honor the veterans of WWI, but in 1954 the meaning expanded to include all U.S. military veterans who served in either wartime or peacetime.
U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill establishing Veterans Day as a national holiday on May 26, 1954. The 83rd Congress amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word ‘Armistice’ and inserting ‘Veterans.’
On June 1, 1954, with the approval of this legislation, Nov. 11 became the day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Today, state and local government closings are determined locally and non-government businesses can remain open or close as the individual business sees fit. The non-emergency City and county offices will be closed for the holiday alongside some banks in town.
Guthrie public schools will be in session.
The parade lines up at 10 a.m. It should begin moving at about 10:30 a.m. The starting location is the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and will finish around Honor Park.
There will be a ceremony at Honor Park afterward.
Guthrie High School will also have a ceremony on Nov. 12 at the high school gym.
To our veterans: Thank you for your service!