The holiday originally known as Armistice Day was officially renamed Veterans Day on June 1, 1954. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation that amended the Act of 1938, striking the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans."
The initial holiday, Armistice Day, was established to honor the veterans of World War I and celebrate the end of that conflict, which formally ceased on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Following the widespread American mobilization in World War II and the Korean War, veterans' service organizations urged Congress to amend the holiday's charter. The purpose of the change was to create a day that recognized and honored American veterans of all wars, not just the first World War.
This legislative change broadened the holiday's scope to encompass all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, making it a comprehensive day of tribute. While the name and purpose were updated, the date of observance remained November 11, preserving the historical significance of the original armistice that concluded World War I.
