HOW THE UNIFORM MONDAY HOLIDAY ACT CHANGED THE DATE OF VETERANS DAY
These days, we know that every November 11th is Veterans Day, a date chosen as an evolution of Armistice Day, which celebrated the end of fighting during World War I. However, there was a period in the United States when Veterans were celebrated a bit earlier. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968 aimed to help workers enjoy more three-day weekends while promoting the travel industry.
What Is the Uniform Monday Holiday Act?
The Uniform Monday Holiday Act is a bill that made both Washington's Birthday and Memorial Day federal holidays held on a Monday and created Columbus Day a federal holiday, which would also be held on Mondays.
It was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on June 1, 1968; however, it wouldn’t take effect until an executive order was signed by President Richard M. Nixon in 1971.
Furthermore, Veterans Day was also changed to a Monday due to the Uniform Holiday Bill, though this would eventually be reversed.
The Reasons for Change
LBJ wanted to boost the travel industry and other industries as a result of breakthroughs in transportation.
The end of the 1960s and into the 1970s provided far fewer barriers for air travel with airlines having far more customers.
Although most travelers were still conducting business by the early 1970s, leisure passengers were on the rise during what is known as the “Jet Age.”
Tourism and package holidays became more of the norm and inspired more traveling among American families; however, they needed the time to do so.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that while the United States was far from done with its racial issues, the Civil Rights Movement had helped inspire change for Blacks traveling, though segregation and other negative realities made air travel difficult for many.
Still, more Americans were traveling and the President wanted to capitalize on the trend to help more people take vacations on the road, by flying, or any other reasonable means.
The Uniform Monday Holiday Act created more three-day weekends and would even go on to influence the placement of future federal holidays taking place on a Monday, specifically, Martin Luther King Day.
How Did the Uniform Holidays Bill Affect Veterans Day?
While the Uniform Monday Holiday Act did move Veterans Day to the fourth Monday of October, the change didn’t last.
Another act of Congress in 1975 moved the holiday back to November 11, which became effective in 1978.
Frankly, while a bummer for anyone trying to plan an annual holiday near the end of October, when we celebrate our Veterans is less important than the act itself.
Of course, the connection and symbolism to Armistice Day are important to remember.
However, the evolution of the holiday has pushed the United States to not only think of the end of one of the worst wars we’ve faced but the ongoing freedoms provided by Veterans through the years.
The Uniform Monday Holiday Act is an interesting bit of history that had a hand in shaping the travel industry, how Veterans are honored, and the placement of federal holidays still seen in present times.
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