Originally recognized as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of hostilities in World War I—the "Great War"—the armistice between the Allied nations and Germany took effect at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. That's why November 11, 1918, is remembered as the end of "the war to end all wars," and it's observed every year on that date, no matter the day of the week.

In 1938, it became a federal holiday. But the two multi nation wars that followed prompted a name change to Veterans Day in 1954, to honor the sacrifices of all Americans—men and women—who've served in conflicts past and present.Today, let's pause to keep our veterans in our thoughts: those who've fought at home and abroad to secure our freedoms and liberties. #VeteransDay

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”. President Wilson 1919