Veterans Day Timeline

1984

Burying an unknown soldier

The unknown soldier from the Vietnam War buried in Arlington National Cemetery was identified in 1998 as Michael Blassie, a 24-year-old pilot shot down in 1972 on the border with Cambodia

1945

Father of Veterans Day

Raymond Weeks came up with the idea that Armistice Day should be dedicated to all veterans rather than solely the soldiers who passed during World War I.

1954

Above and beyond

The National Veterans Award was created to honor outstanding veterans who made the greatest contributions to veteran organizations throughout the country.

1954

Change of name

President Dwight Eisenhower changed the name of the day to Veterans Day to honor more than one set of veterans