Instituted initially as Armistice Day by Woodrow Wilson in 1919 and later changed to Veteran’s Day for WWI veterans in 1926, Veteran’s Day was initiated for all veterans by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954. The following excerpt is from President Eisenhower’s proclamation:
NOW THEREFORE, I, DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, President of the United States of- America, ‘do hereby call upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954, as Veterans Day. On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain. I also direct the appropriate officials of the Government to arrange for the display of the flag of the United States on all public buildings on Veterans Day.
Federal Register, October 12, 1954, “TITLE 3-THE PRESIDENT PROCLAMATION 3071, VETERANS DAY, 1954, BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, A PROCLAMATION”