EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Why does Veterans Day land on Nov. 11 each year?
The annual recognition of those who served our nation originally was known as Armistice Day and celebrated the end of World War I. An armistice ending four years of bloody war was signed on Nov. 11, 1918.
That armistice took effect at 11 a.m. on that day — “the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month,” marking an end of arguably the most ferocious and gruesome warfare in human history.
From that bit of history, Veterans Day always lands on Nov. 11, regardless of what day of the week it is.
Here are some other facts about Veterans Day.
According to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Day is spelled without using an apostrophe but does include an “s” at the end of veterans.
That’s because the day does not “belong” to veterans. Rather, it is a day to honor all veterans.
Many people confuse Memorial Day in late May with Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in service to their country, particularly those who died in combat or from wounds sustained in battle.
Veterans Day, however, is a day that has been set aside to remember all veterans, anyone who has served honorably in the military, in wartime or in peacetime.
Confusing matters even more, there is a special day to honor current servicemembers, known as Armed Forces Day. That day is recognized on the third Saturday of May each year.
To learn more about Veterans Day, you can download a free Teachers’ Resource Guide on Veterans Day by clicking here. You can make as many copies as you wish.
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