Raise your glass to celebrate our veterans! Delve into the Veterans Day history, facts, and a recipe for a simple cocktail to honor our heroes.
Celebrated every 11th day of November, Veteran’s Day is a national federal holiday celebrated in the United States to honor all the military veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Its origins trace back to the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, when the guns fell silent, marking the end of World War I. Veteran’s Day is to commemorate not only to remember but to honor the men and women who have served our country in the military service. It is also a day to reflect on all of the sacrifices they have made to protect our freedom and their patriotism and show our commitment to supporting our heroes and their families.
As we approach this significant day, let us reflect on the sacrifices made, the challenges overcome, and the unyielding spirit that defines our veterans. Let us stand united, acknowledging the debt of gratitude we owe to these exceptional souls. In honoring their legacy, we honor the very essence of freedom and the enduring spirit of humanity.
Veterans Day Timeline
1919: Armistice Day was first celebrated on November 11th, the first anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I.
1945: Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran, organizes "National Veterans Day" in Birmingham, Alabama.
1947: Representative Edward Rees of Kansas introduced a bill to change Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
1954: The bill was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Harry Truman on June 1st.
1971: Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday in October.
1978: Veterans Day was returned to its original date of November 11th.
Lesser-Known Fun Facts About Veterans Day
Renaming to Veterans Day: In 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, Congress amended the commemoration, replacing "Armistice" with "Veterans," making it a day to honor all American veterans of wars.
Observance in Other Countries: While the United States observes Veterans Day on November 11, other countries, like Canada and the United Kingdom, commemorate a similar day called Remembrance Day or Poppy Day.
Moment of Silence: The tradition of observing a moment of silence at 11:00 AM on November 11th was established as a way to pay tribute to the exact moment when hostilities ceased in World War I.
Veterans Day Symbol: The red poppy flower is often associated with Veterans Day. This tradition originated from the famous war poem "In Flanders Fields," written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae during World War I.
Commemorative Ceremonies: Arlington National Cemetery holds a ceremony each year on Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the President of the United States traditionally lays a wreath.
Honoring All Veterans: Veterans Day honors all military veterans, living and deceased, while Memorial Day specifically commemorates those who died in military service.
Longest-Living Veteran: Richard Overton, a World War II veteran, was one of the oldest verified American military veterans and lived to be 112 years old. He passed away in 2018.
Cheers to Veterans Day!
As we commemorate Veterans Day, let it be a time to celebrate and give honor to all our beloved men and women veterans who have helped us protect our freedom, served our country, and molded our values into what they are today.
Meet our friends at Woodnose, the husband-and-husband team, Justin and Roger. Roger’s father is a U.S.A.F. veteran, and Roger enlisted in the Air Force, serving in Alaska and California. And with their visions, came Sacré.
Featuring their non-alcoholic and organically-made aperitif, Sacré is made from their small family farm in Vermont. They take pride in using generation-old techniques to ferment their organic maple syrup, aged in bourbon barrels, coffee, spices, and botanicals that give Sacré its distinctive taste for everyone to enjoy! Ready your pen or give these enticing recipes from Woodnose a screenshot to save for your next happy hour with the gang at home!
The Salute
Although Veterans Day is celebrated each year in November, the gatherings don’t stop there. Find the time to bring everyone together for a festive moment with us! Our team at Kits by Food Craft will help you plan and host a virtual or in-person experience that lasts. If you’re looking into hosting a private event such as socials, our Spiced Cocktails event might be the one you’ve been searching for. And if you want something a little different for the team, we’ve got our Zero-Proof Mixology custom virtual experience featuring Sacré!
Enjoy an hour of cheerful crafting recipes of our unique cocktails and mocktails that will help you bring out the mixologist in you. And worry no more about gathering the materials and ingredients needed to make your next favorite drinks, this experience includes a kit that is curated with everything you need to get the party started!