When did Armistice Day become a national holiday?

Armistice Day became recognized as a national holiday on May 13, 1938. However, Armistice Day was first celebrated on Nov. 11, 1919. The idea behind Armistice Day came into being after a brief ceasefire between Allied forces and Germany began on Nov.11, 1918.

In 1954, after both World War II and the Vietnam war, Armistice Day, was changed to Veterans Day to honor all soldiers, not just those who had served in WW1. From 1971 until 1978, Veterans Day was observed on the fourth Monday in October. In 1978, the holiday returned to the original Nov. 11 date. Several countries around the world that participated in WW1 also celebrate a version of Armistice Day on Nov. 11 of each year.