Veterans Day is intended to honor and thank all military personnel who served the United States in all wars. It is marked by parades and church services and in many places the American flag is hung at half-mast. Veterans Day is officially observed on November 11. A period of silence lasting two minutes may be held at 11am.
Why 11am? On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations came into effect. On November 11, 1919, Armistice Day was commemorated for the first time. In 1919, President Wilson proclaimed the day should be “filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory”. There were plans for parades, public meetings and a brief suspension of business activities at 11am.
In 1926, the United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I and declared that the anniversary of the armistice should be commemorated with prayer and thanksgiving.
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article courtesy of TheExaminer.com
Veterans Day History 2013 was originally published on praisecleveland.com
