It was the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when an “armistice” or a temporary end to battle between the Allied Nations and Germany during the First World War.

In 1919 American celebrated Armistice Day. It became a legal holiday in 1938 and has been celebrated each November ever since.

In 1954 President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed the name to Veteran’s Day to honor the service of all those who served in the military during World War II and the Korean War.

Veteran’s Day became a Monday holiday and was celebrated in October starting in 1968 by an act of Congress. This was to provide three-day weekends for federal employees. President Gerald Ford signed into law in 1978 a return to the observance to November 11th due to the significance of that date in history.

A wreath laying ceremony is held each year on Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. This is done precisely at 11 am with a color guard representing all branches of the military.

Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate veterans of World Wars I and II on or near November 11th.

On November 11th, Veterans Day we honor those who have served our country in service through the military. In May on Memorial Day, we honor those who fought and died for our country.