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Background Information
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( In today’s reading activity, you will read a
passage about a veteran who once took part in World War I.
You may have heard of Veterans’ Day (退伍军人节), but do you know about its origin and history? You may solve
this problem by referring to the background information. )
Background Information
First War and Veterans' Day
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| November 11 is the anniversary of the Armistice
(停战协议) which was signed in the Forest of Compiegne by the Allies
(盟军) and the Germans in 1918. At 5 A.M. on Monday, November
11, the Germans signed the Armistice, an order was issued for
all firing to cease, so the hostilities of the First World War
ended after 4 years' conflicts. |
| In November of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson
(威尔逊) issued the Armistice Day. In 1927 Congress issued a resolution
requesting President Calvin Coolidge (柯律芝) to issue a proclamation
calling upon officials to display the Flag of the United States
on all government buildings on November 11, and inviting people
to observe the day in schools and churches. But it was not until
1938 that Congress passed a bill that each November 11 be dedicated
to the cause of world peace and since then it has been known
as Armistice Day. |
| That same year President Franklin D. Roosevelt
(罗斯福) signed a bill making the day a legal holiday in the District
of Columbia. For sixteen years the United States formally observed
Armistice Day, with impressive ceremonies in honor of the unknown
soldiers. In many other communities, some people gathered together
to hold parades and religious services. |
| After World War II, there were many new veterans
who had little or no association with World War I. Therefore
with the passage of years, significance of the name of this
holiday changed too. Leaders of Veterans' groups decided to
try to make November 11 the time to honor all who once fought
in various American wars, not just in World War I. |
| On November 11, 1953, instead of an Armistice
Day program, there was a Veterans' Day observance. A bill was
made to change Armistice Day to Veterans' Day, and Veterans'
Day gained its name officially on May 24, 1954. In October of
that year, President Eisenhower (艾森豪威尔) called on all citizens
to observe the day by remembering all those who fight to promote
an enduring peace. |
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