Here are some facts you might not know about Veterans Day. I found them here and here.

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There is no apostrophe in Veterans Day

An apostrophe indicates ownership.  This day isn't owned by veterans, it's designed to honor veterans, hence no apostrophe.

Veterans Day was first known as Armistice Day

Armistice Day began celebrating the victory of the allied forces during World War I. It was made a legal holiday in 1938, but it didn't become Veterans Day until until 1954.

Veterans Day and Memorial Day are different

Memorial Day is to honor and mourn our fallen heroes.  Veterans Day honors our heroes living and dead.

Other countries also celebrate Veterans Day

Other countries, including Canada and Australia, Europe and France honor their veterans on November 11th as well.  It's called Remembrance Day or V-E Day, meaning victory in Europe.

For a few years, Veterans Day was celebrated in October

The Uniform Holidays Bill passed in 1968 moving Veterans Day to the 4th Monday in October.  In 1975, President Gerald Ford returned it to November 11th due to the historical significance of the date.

World War I didn't actually end on November 11, 1918

We've all heard, "The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" when speaking of WWI.  That's actually when the Armistice was signed essentially pausing the war until it was officially ended with the Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919

There is a Veterans Day Moment of Silence Act

President Obama signed the Veterans Day Moment of Silence Act in 2016 calling for 2 minutes of silence during the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, when the Armistice was signed.

 

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