Armistice Day was officially made a federal holiday by Congress in 1938 as a day to honor the end of World War I. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed HR7786, which established Veterans Day in place of Armistice Day to honor those who served in World War II and the Korean War.
Photo: DDE signing HR7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day 1954. 6/1/54.
Source: senate.gov
Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the G.I. Bill on June 22, 1944. The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, also known as the G.I. Bill of Rights, offers educational assistance to veterans.
You can visit This week in Roosevelt History for more milestones and photos from the Roosevelt Presidential Library.
(via todaysdocument)
Source: ourpresidents
The G.I. Bill of Rights
June 22 marks the 68th anniversary of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, more popularly known as the GI Bill of Rights.
Although World War II was far from over, FDR was determined to plan ahead for a smooth transition to peace, both abroad and at home. The President proposed to Congress a way to level the economic impact of the war’s end and to integrate returning veterans back into American society.
The result was the GI Bill. Now widely credited with creating the post-war middle class, the GI Bill of Rights provided returning veterans with educational benefits, work training, hiring preferences, and subsidized loans for buying homes, businesses and farms.
Here is the White House Stenographer’s Diary from June 22, 1944. FDR signed the Bill at 11:30 AM.
See the signed copy of the Act, photos, and FDR’s speech here.
Source: fdrlibrary.marist.edu
“These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent. These are the heroes who helped end a war.”
-President Reagan at the 40th Anniversary Commemoration of D-Day, Normandy, France
On June 6, 1984, President Reagan spoke at the site of the U.S. Ranger Monument at Pointe du Hoc, France, where veterans of the Normandy invasion had assembled for the ceremony.
Left, General Eisenhower speaks with paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division just before they board their planes to participate in the first assault of the Normandy invasion, 6/6/44. Right, President Reagan greets former United States Army Rangers on the 40th anniversary of D-Day. Normandy, France, 6/6/84.
Source: reagan.utexas.edu
NOVEMBER 29: PRESIDENT EISENHOWER TRAVELS TO KOREA, 1952
On this day in 1952, President Dwight Eisenhower made good on a presidential campaign promise and traveled to Korea.
On the campaign trail, Eisenhower had promised Americans that he would personally travel to the country to find a solution to end the Korean War. The war would be over the following year.
Last year’s special, “Unforgettable: The Korean War” is an homage to the forgotten fighters of the Korean War. Veterans recall some of the searing memories that were etched into their hearts and minds.
Watch the full film above.
And let me say to the Vietnam veterans gathered here today: When you returned home, you brought solace to the loved ones of those who fell, but little solace was given to you. Some of your countrymen were unable to distinguish between our native distaste for war and the stainless patriotism of those who suffered its scars. But there’s been a rethinking there, too. And now we can say to you, and say as a nation: Thank you for your courage. Thank you for being patient with your countrymen. Thank you. Thank you for continuing to stand with us together.
Source: reagan.utexas.edu
July 21, 1930. President Herbert Hoover combines all federal services for veterans into one agency, the Veterans Administration.
Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the G.I. Bill on June 22, 1944. The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, also known as the G.I. Bill of Rights, offers educational assistance to veterans.
You can visit This week in Roosevelt History for more milestones and photos from the Roosevelt Presidential Library.
