World War I officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in France on June 28 , 1919 .
The date , November 11 , is now remembered as Veterans Day , a holiday to thank and honor all who served in the United States military .
The celebration first started on November 11 , 1919 , as Armistice Day .
In 1926 , the U.S . Congress officially recognized November 11 , 1918 , as the end of World War I .
And in 1938 , the body passed legislation to make the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday .
Known as “Armistice Day ,” it was a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I .
The date for Veterans Day was changed in 1968 with the signing of the Uniform Holiday Act .
With the law , Congress intended to create a three-day weekend for Americans by moving the holiday to a Monday in November .
Many states and veterans ’ organizations did not agree with this decision .
They continued to celebrate the holiday on November 11 , leading to confusion .
So , Congress returned the holiday to its original date .
Many Americans are confused about Veterans Day and Memorial Day , the other holiday honoring military service , which is observed on the last Monday in May .
Memorial Day is set aside as a day for remembering and honoring those who died in the service of their country .
For most Americans , it also marks the unofficial start of summer and a popular weekend for vacationing .
Veterans Day is largely intended to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military , living or dead , and in wartime or peace .
To ensure that people remember Veterans Day , the U.S . Congress passed , and President Barack Obama signed the Veterans Day Moment of Silence Act in 2016 .
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