 Originally called Armistice Day, the day was first recognized when
fighting in World War I ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of
the 11th month of 1918. The Treaty of Versailles, which officially
ended the hostilities, was signed June 28, 1919. President Wilson
proclaimed the first commemoration in 1919 and asked for a brief
suspension of business at 11 a.m. that day.In 1926, Congress
recognized the end of World War I and stated it believed it
appropriate that the country recognize the date "with thanksgiving
and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good
will and mutual understanding between nations."
Congress made Nov. 11 a federal holiday in 1938 and called it
Armistice Day.
In 1954, after World War II required the largest mobilization of
armed forces in the country’s history, Congress replaced Armistice
Day with Veterans Day.
In 1968, Congress moved the celebrations of four holidays,
including Veterans Day, to a generic Monday to encourage travel and
recreation over a three-day weekend. The Monday observance began in
1971 and was considered by many to be confusing and by some to be
inappropriate.
In 1975 the celebration was returned to Nov. 11, effective in
1978.
Illinois declared Nov. 11 to be a state holiday in 1921. It also
switched from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1955.
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Although IDES offices will be closed, services will be available
at www.ides.illinois.gov.
People will be able to file for first-time unemployment benefits;
certify for benefits, which is necessary to receive payment; and
switch the method of payment to direct deposit.
Because Monday is a federal banking holiday, the availability of
some benefit payments might be delayed. The IDES does not determine
federal banking holidays.
The IDES supports economic stability by administering
unemployment benefits, collecting business contributions to fund
those benefits, connecting employers with qualified job seekers, and
providing economic information to assist career planning and
economic development. It does so electronically, in-person and with
its partners at Illinois workNet Centers.
[Text from
Illinois Department of
Employment Security
file received from the
Illinois Office of Communication and Information]
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