Difference Between Memorial Day and Veterans Day

Memorial Day vs Veterans Day

Memorial Day and Veterans Day are days celebrated for honoring military personnel. Though both Memorial Day and Veterans Day are remembrance days of military personnel, they have many differences between them.

Memorial Day is the day for giving due honour and also for remembering military personnel who died at times of war. On the other hand, Veterans Day is the day for giving due honour and for remembering all persons who had served the military in times of war and peace. However, Veterans Day is mainly to honour living service veterans who had largely contributed to the nation.

The last Monday of the month of May is usually celebrated as Memorial Day. The memorial day was earlier known in another name. After the 1865 Civil War, people began to dedicate certain days for the people who died during the time of wars and placed wreaths and flowers on their graves. Later, in 1868, head of the Organization of Union Veterans Maj. Gen. John A. Logan, set up May 30th as the Decoration Day. It was from 1882 that the term Decoration Day came to nbe known as Memorial Day. Besides placing wreaths on the graves, people also wear poppies in honor of the brave soldiers.

Veterans Day is followed on November 11 every year. Just like Memorial Day, Veterans Day also began with a different name. The Congress in 1926 declared November 11 as “Armistice Day” for commemorating the end of World War I. Congressman Edward H. Rees brought forth a legislation in the late 1940s for converting the term “Armistice Day” to “Veterans Day”. He brought this resolution for honoring all veterans who had served the U.S. in all the wars. However, it was President Dwight D Eisenhower who signed a bill in 1954 that officially changed the name Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

Summary:

1.Memorial Day is the day for giving due honour and also for remembering military personnel who died at times of war On the other hand, Veterans Day is the day for giving due honour and for remembering all persons who had served the military in times of war and peace.
2.The last Monday of May is usually celebrated as Memorial Day. Veterans Day is followed on November 11 every year.
3.Memorial Day was known by the name of Decoration Day. It was in 1882 that Decoration Day was converted to Memorial Day.
4.Veterans Day was earlier termed as Armistice Day. It was President Dwight D. Eisenhower who signed a bill in 1954 that officially changed the name Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

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