In 1954, Congress approved Veterans Day to be celebrated on the 11th of November each year. But in 1968, the Uniform Holiday Bill was passed and Veterans Day was moved to the third weekend in October.
There was good logic behind this bill. Congress intended for Federal employees to have three-day weekends by celebrating four holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Columbus Day. "It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production."* Technically, it all made sense.
What wasn't accounted for by that Congress was that the November 11 date was specifically chosen to mark the 11th hour of the 11th month when the armistice treaty was signed for WWI. While there may have been a logical reason to change the date, it overlooked the emotional reason why the original date was chosen. Thus, President Ford returned the observance to November 11, beginning in 1978.
I have read that 80% of the reasons for proposing change are technical, and 20% of change is initiated for emotional reasons. However; 80% of the resistance to change is for emotional reasons and only 20% for technical flaws. The date of Veterans Day is a prime example of this in action.
The next time you're tempted to enact something like a Uniform Holiday Bill -- which makes sense for pragmatic reasons -- don't inadvertently overlook the emotional component which could derail your efforts for an equally valid, but entirely different set of values.
-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com
Source: www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp
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