Apostrophe or Not?
As I looked to find a few tidbits of information on this holiday, I discovered a few things. The word “Veterans” was spelled a few different ways with a few different apostrophes in different places.
According to defense.gov, here is the correct spelling and why:
“The holiday is not a day that “belongs” to one veteran or multiple veterans, which is what an apostrophe implies. It’s a day for honoring all veterans- so no apostrophe needed.”
So, when writing out the term, be sure and spell it correctly. Not Veteran’s or Veterans’, simply Veterans Day.
When Do We Celebrate?
This holiday has been moved and renamed a few times, another interesting tidbit I discovered. Originally Armistice Day, it was created as a celebration for the end of World War I. It was celebrated in November, because that’s when the Allies and Germany put into effect and armistice (a suspension of hostilities by an agreement, or a truce). It occurred on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
But then, when WW II and the Korean War happened, Congress wanted to rename it in order to honor all veterans of all wars. In 1971, it was dated for the fourth Monday in October. Apparently, many were happy that the holiday had been moved.
So in 1975, President Ford returned the holiday to it’s original date in November beginning in 1978. However, the stipulation applied that it had to occur on a Monday. This would fulfill the Uniform Holiday Bill that ensures all federal holidays be celebrated on Mondays. This was to give people a long weekend and encourage spending.
In The End…
After all the dominos fall, this holiday still represents the same thing: a way to honor all living veterans that served. Unlike Memorial Day to remember the fallen, this holiday honors those still with us. Those that have stories to tell and remember the conflict and war like it was yesterday.
Honoring veterans by giving them a thanks or even buying a cup of coffee means more to them than you think. And if you have time, sitting and listening to a story allows them to pass down a lifetime of wisdom and knowledge they are more than eager to share.
