A Brief History of Veterans Day | Veterans Day 2022

Happy Veterans Day

We would like to take a moment to recognize and thank all of the incredible men and women who have committed their lives to our freedom. Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11, so we wanted to share some information on how, when, and why this holiday started, as well as what it means to us, at Gardenuity. 

A History of Veterans Day

Veterans Day first made an appearance on United States calendars in 1919 due to President Wilson. Wilson declared November 11 as “Armistice Day” to recognize and celebrate the bravery of all of the men who fought in World War I, also known as “the war to end all wars.” 

The reason November 11 was chosen as the date of commemoration was because of the cease-fire declared between Allied powers and Germany on “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month”. 

Therefore, when the United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I, they also passed a resolution where they recognized the importance and commemoration of our soldiers on November 11th every year, urging the Senate and the president to make “Armistice Day” a legal holiday. 

Later on, in 1938, Armistice Day officially was recognized as a national holiday through an act. However, following the immense casualties and striking number of wounded or killed Americans of World War II, Congress decided to amend this act to focus on veterans rather than armistice. President Dwight D. Eisenhower went on a step further in releasing his Veterans Day Proclamation. The proclamation read:

“In order to ensure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.” 

Since then, Veterans Day has been a time to honor, celebrate, and join together to offer up our gratitude and appreciation for our brave soldiers. Countless Americans have lost their lives to ensure that you and I have the freedoms that we have come so accustomed to. According to Building Better Homes for Heroes, it is estimated that there have been over 1,000,000 American casualties during all wars that the United States has participated in. 

This is a day to reflect, remember, and spread awareness for all of the lives lost, as well as the lives that are still living. Many veterans struggle with mental health issues such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression. It is important to practice kindness, patience, and empathy towards the people who have allowed us to live in the ways that we choose. 

What Veterans Day Means to Gardenuity

Gardenuity is a company that focuses on wellness, growing, and using nature as a tool for physical and mental health. At the root of everything we do, we believe in growing good. Thinking about the opportunity and ability given to us to even create this company is all rooted in the freedom of choice that we have been gifted from brave men and women choosing to fight for us. 

As United States citizens, we are able to eat what we want, wear what we want, go wherever we want whenever we want, and enjoy a quality of life that so many others do not have access to. The freedoms that we are so blessed to have give us the opportunities to grow into who we are and what we want to be. The freedom of choice, speech, love, and autonomy is something that we take for granted, but where would we be without it? 

Thank you so much to all of our Veterans and active-duty military for all that you do to ensure that United States citizens get to grow. 

Happy Veterans Day!