What Is Veterans Day in the US?

World War I officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in France on June 28, 1919.

1919年6月28日，《凡爾賽和約》在法國簽署，第一次世界大戰正式結束。

The date, November 11, is now remembered as Veterans Day, a holiday to thank and honor all who served in the United States military.

11月11日這一天如今被作為退伍軍人節來紀念，這是一個感謝並表彰所有曾在美國軍隊服役者的節日。

The celebration first started on November 11, 1919, as Armistice Day.

這項紀念活動最早始於1919年11月11日，當時稱為「停戰紀念日」。

In 1926, the U.S. Congress officially recognized November 11, 1918, as the end of World War I.

1926年，美國國會正式承認1918年11月11日為第一次世界大戰結束之日。

And in 1938, the body passed legislation to make the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday.

1938年，國會又通過立法，將每年的11月11日定為法定假日。

Known as “Armistice Day,” it was a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I.

這一天被稱為「停戰紀念日」，專門用來紀念第一次世界大戰的退伍軍人。

The date for Veterans Day was changed in 1968 with the signing of the Uniform Holiday Act.

1968年，《統一假日法》簽署，退伍軍人節的日期隨之改變。

With the law, Congress intended to create a three-day weekend for Americans by moving the holiday to a Monday in November.

國會希望透過這項法律把節日移到11月的某個星期一，為美國人創造一個三天的週末。

Many states and veterans’ organizations did not agree with this decision.

許多州和退伍軍人組織不同意這項決定。

They continued to celebrate the holiday on November 11, leading to confusion.

他們繼續在11月11日慶祝這個節日，結果造成了混亂。

So, Congress returned the holiday to its original date.

於是，國會把這個節日改回了原來的日期。

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.

許多美國人把退伍軍人節和陣亡將士紀念日搞混，後者是另一個紀念軍人服役的節日，在五月的最後一個星期一。

Memorial Day is set aside as a day for remembering and honoring those who died in the service of their country.

陣亡將士紀念日是專門用來緬懷和紀念那些為國捐軀者的日子。

For most Americans, it also marks the unofficial start of summer and a popular weekend for vacationing.

對大多數美國人來說，這一天也象徵夏天的非正式開始，是外出度假的熱門週末。

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.

退伍軍人節主要是為了感謝和表彰所有曾光榮服役的軍人，無論在世與否，無論是在戰時還是和平時期。

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.

為確保人們記得退伍軍人節，美國國會於2016年通過了《退伍軍人節默哀法》，並由巴拉克·歐巴馬總統簽署。

I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.

我是馬里奧·里特。