Veterans Days Past in Alabama

Veterans Day has its origin in "Armistice Day" which in many countries recognizes the end of World War I. A resident of Birmingham, Raymond Weeks, led the effort in the U.S. in the early 1950's to expand Armistice Day to include veterans of all wars. President Dwight Eisenhower formally recognized the change on June 1, 1954.

Veterans Day parade in Huntsville November 1979. The location appears to be along Williams Street downtown.

Source: Huntsville Public Library 

Governor George Wallace and wife Cornelia at a Veterans Day parade in 1972

Source: Birmingham Public Library 

Veterans Day services at Oakwood Cemetery in Montgomeryin 1954

Source: Alabama Dept of Archives & History

Message from Frank W. Boykin published in 1950. Boykin was a U.S. Representative from Alabama from 1935 until 1963.

Source: Alabama Dept of Archives & History

Raymond Weeks [1908-1985] the "Father of Veterans Day"

Source: Alabama Dept of Archives & History