# Human Folly Day By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2023-11-10 On the 11th of November, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson made a proclamation regarding Armistice Day (what we now know as Veterans Day). In it, President Wilson stated: >“Out of this victory there arose possibilities of political freedom and economic concert. The war showed us the strength of great nations acting together for high purposes, and the victory of arms foretells the enduring conquests which can be made in peace when nations act justly and in furtherance of the common interest of men. To us in America the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride…and with gratitude for the victory, both because the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of nations.” On June 4, 1926, The United States Congress adopted a resolution requesting that the President issue an annual proclamation to observe November 11th ceremoniously. On May 13, 1938, Congress made November 11th a legal holiday “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.’” This celebration lasted only 16 years, as on June 1, 1954, Congress amended the bill, replacing “Armistice” with “Veterans,” thus creating what is now known as Veterans Day. Veterans certainly deserve recognition for all they sacrifice for our nation. It is perhaps unfortunate that the day selected for that recognition is November 11th, as that day’s lesson might be better focused on “Human Folly.” The day was envisioned as a celebration of the end of “the war to end all wars,” and “dedicated to the cause of world peace.” There were only four years between the official adoption of Armistice Day by Congress in 1938 and the declaration of war by the United States in World War II in 1941. As the world is once again embroiled in increasing global conflicts, it would perhaps be even more beneficial to recognize the human folly contributing to a nearly perpetual war. November 11th is the perfect day for such a solemn recognition. Veterans answer their nation’s call. They deserve recognition and respect for doing so. Leaders of nations too easily send these brave and patriotic soldiers to fight for causes that never seem to end or accomplish anything of lasting value. There is no greater human folly. #### Related Items [[War]] [[American]] [[The Human Condition]] [[Society]] [[Culture]] [[Folly]]