DSC 0723 Birmingham's National Veterans Day Parade 2019, the nation's oldest celebration honoring our heroes (Photos) — National Veterans Day Parade 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama. Photo by Kristina O’Quinn for Bham Now

Birmingham proudly held the 72nd Annual National Veterans Day Parade on Monday, November 11th, for second consecutive year alongside Railroad Park.

DSC 0426 Birmingham's National Veterans Day Parade 2019, the nation's oldest celebration honoring our heroes (Photos) — World War I recognized at the National Veterans Day Parade 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama. Photo by Kristina O’Quinn for Bham Now

DSC 0543 Birmingham's National Veterans Day Parade 2019, the nation's oldest celebration honoring our heroes (Photos) — Veteran participating in the National Veterans Day Parade 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama. Photo by Kristina O’Quinn for Bham Now

The nation’s oldest and longest Veterans Day Parade, the national holiday was envisioned by Birmingham resident Raymond Weeks as an extension of “Armistice Day” and first celebrated in the Magic City in 1947.

Veterns Day Parade — Birmingham had FIRST National Veterans Day parade in 1947. Via

Here is an excerpt from an entry in Bhamwiki describing how Veterans Day was founded.

“Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran and Birmingham citizen, led efforts to expand Armistice Day to salute the veterans of that war. He led a delegation that presented the idea to General Eisenhower, the Army Chief of Staff. With his blessing, plans were made for the first Veterans Day celebration, held on November 11, 1947 in Birmingham.

DSC 0632 Birmingham's National Veterans Day Parade 2019, the nation's oldest celebration honoring our heroes (Photos) — National Veterans Day Parade 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama. Photo by Kristina O’Quinn for Bham Now

A parade was held downtown, beginning a tradition which continues with what remains the nation’s largest Veterans Day Parade. The non-profit National Veterans Day in Birmingham was created to coordinate events in the city.

DSC 0417 Birmingham's National Veterans Day Parade 2019, the nation's oldest celebration honoring our heroes (Photos) — National Veterans Day Parade 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama. Photo by Kristina O’Quinn for Bham Now

After years of lobbying, a bill to formally change the name of the federal holiday was introduced by Representative Edwin Rees of Kansas. It was signed by President Eisenhower on June 1, 1954.”

Screen Shot 2018 11 13 at 5.52.02 AM Birmingham's National Veterans Day Parade 2019, the nation's oldest celebration honoring our heroes (Photos) — Raymond Weeks Memorial Service at Linn Park. Weeks, a Birmingham resident, led the national efforts to establish the Veterans Day. Photo by Terry Schrimscher

Last year, Bham Now was on hand for the Raymond Weeks Memorial Service at Linn Park. The video of the service provides the history behind the creation of Veterans Day in Birmingham.

Perfect Parade Weather for 2019

DSC 0470 e1573569067109 Birmingham's National Veterans Day Parade 2019, the nation's oldest celebration honoring our heroes (Photos) — National Veterans Day Parade 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama. Photo by Kristina O’Quinn for Bham Now

Unlike the National Veterans Day Parade in 2018, which was almost rained out, the weather for the 2019 Parade was perfect with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 60s. Because of the I-59/20 construction, the parade route was also held for the 2nd consecutive year around the Railroad Park/Regions Field/Midtown area.