Veterans Day dates back to the finalization of the end of World War I in 1918, the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, and a day (November 11) that was designed to honor the war dead. Veterans Day started as Armistice Day. In 1946, however, Navy veteran Raymond Weeks petitioned then-Army Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower that November 11 should commemorate all veterans living and dead.

For eight years, Weeks petitioned the military and Congress to change the designation of Armistice Day to a national Veterans Day to remember veterans of all wars, those who were deceased as well as those living who had served in one of the branches of the military. Weeks was eventually successful in getting a bill sponsored and submitted to Congress by Kansas Rep. Edward Rees in 1954. After Congressional approval of the bill, it was signed into law by Eisenhower on June 1, 1954. 

November 11, 1954, was the first recognized Veterans Day celebrated in the United States—thanks to the effort and dedication of Raymond Weeks, whose hometown was Birmingham, Alabama. 

Weeks was eventually presented with the Presidential Citizenship Medal by President Ronald Reagan in 1982 for Weeks' contribution to this significant veterans’ holiday. A memorial was established in Weeks’ honor at Linn Park in Birmingham after Weeks' passing in 1985. Ceremonies have been held in Weeks' name every year for Veterans Day. 

The National Veterans Day Foundation, which hosts the Annual Veterans Day Parade in Birmingham and the National Veterans Awards Dinner, is an Alabama-based nonprofit organization. National Veterans Day Foundation works to honor and celebrate veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice.

For highlights and to learn more, visit: https://nationalveteransday.org