The Postal Service will observe Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
Originally called Armistice Day, the holiday was first observed a year after the end of World War I. That armistice — or ceasefire — in “the war to end all wars” took effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
The next year, President Woodrow Wilson designated Nov. 11 as Armistice Day. The first commemoration featured parades, civic activities and a moment of silence at 11 a.m.
After World War II, veterans’ organizations lobbied Congress to expand the observance to honor all veterans. On June 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation designating Nov. 11 as Veterans Day.
From 1971 to 1977, the observance was moved to the fourth Monday in October as part of 1968’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act. But it soon became clear that Nov. 11 held special meaning for citizens, and widespread opposition to the change led President Gerald Ford to sign legislation returning Veterans Day to Nov. 11.
Roughly 65,000 USPS employees are serving or have served in the U.S. armed forces.
To mark the holiday this year, the Postal Service will mail a badge and badge clip to the home address of employees who are known to be veterans, along with a thank-you note.
This year’s Veterans Day activities also include a video message featuring Joseph Bruce, the USPS human resources vice president, and John Morgan, the organization’s delivery operations vice president.
A historical timeline of the holiday is available on the website of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
