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VETERANS' DAY 2006
Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1918 to commemorate the end of World War I. First proclaimed by Congress in 1926 and each year thereafter, Armistice Day became “Veterans Day” in 1954 as a result of legislation signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The name was changed to honor all who served the nation in wars or conflicts. Veterans Day has been observed annually on this date since 1978, except for a brief period when it was celebrated on the fourth Monday of October.
The following table demonstrates various interesting facts about our military veterans. (From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2004-2005.)
24.9 million |
Military veterans in the United States |
9.7 million |
Veterans who are age 65 or over |
8.2 million |
Vietnam-era veterans |
4.4 million |
WWII veterans |
2.4 million |
African American veterans |
2.3 million |
Veterans from California |
1.7 million |
Veterans who are women |
1.1 million |
Latino veterans |
498,000 |
Veterans who served in World War II and the Korean War |
429,000 |
Veterans who served during both the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict |
381,000 |
Veterans who served during both the Vietnam era and the Desert Storm era |
272,000 |
Asian American veterans |
159,000 |
American Indian or Alaska native veterans |
143,000 |
Veterans who served during three periods: WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict |
30,000 |
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander veterans |
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