Alvin King, an Emporia shoe salesman whose nephew had died in combat in 1944, began a campaign in 1953 to change the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day, thereby honoring veterans from all wars rather than only those from WWI. Kansas Congressman Ed Rees carried the message to Congress, and in 1954 President Eisenhower signed the bill proclaiming November 11 (formerly Armistice Day) as Veterans Day. In 2003 Congress officially declared Emporia the Founding City of Veterans Day. Commemorating Veterans Day (8 Wonders of Kansas - Customs) is especially significant in Emporia.