In this episode of Smartest Year Ever, Gordy unpacks the strange moment in American history when Veterans Day was moved to October—and why that decision quickly backfired. This isn’t just a quirky scheduling fact. It’s a revealing look at how Congress, symbolism, and civic tradition collided over the meaning of a national holiday.
From the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 to the public backlash that forced Congress to reverse course in 1975, this episode dives into how one of America’s most sacred observances nearly became a long weekend footnote. Gordy breaks down the politics, public outrage, and powerful symbolism behind the date that marks the end of World War I—and how veterans themselves led the charge to bring it back where it belonged: November 11.
Perfect for history buffs, civics nerds, or anyone curious how a simple calendar tweak turned into a nationwide revolt.
Stay curious, stay clever—on our quest to become the World’s Greatest Conversationalists.
Sources:
Johnson, L. B. (1968). Statement by the President Upon Signing the Uniform Holiday Bill. The American Presidency Project, University of California, Santa Barbara.
U.S. Congress. (1968). Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Pub. L. 90-363, 82 Stat. 250.
U.S. Congress. (1975). Veterans Day (Restoration to November 11), Pub. L. 94-97, 89 Stat. 479.
Library of Congress. (2013). Armistice Day / Veterans Day. Law Library of Congress Blog.
National Constitution Center. (2016). How Americans Fought to Restore Veterans Day to November 11.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). The History of Veterans Day. VA History Office.
U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Historian. (n.d.). Veterans Day Returns to November 11.
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Music thanks to Zapsplat.