Veterans Day: Veterans from all armed forces are honored on Nov. 11.  The holiday dates back to Nov. 11, 1918 when a treaty was signed between the Allied Forces and Germany, unofficially ending World War I (the war’s end was made official in June 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles).  In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson instructed the nation to remember the armistice by observing a moment of silence at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11.

U.S. veterans salute during a moment of silence, Nov. 11, 2001 in New York City (Getty Images)

In 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, President Dwight Eisenhower declared Armistice Day would be known as Veteran’s Day.  Rather than just celebrating peace after World War I, Veterans Day honored all war veterans.

1921 Tomb of the Unknowns Dedicated at Arlington

The Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia was dedicated in 1921, at a ceremony attended by President Warren Harding.  An unidentified soldier who died in World War I was laid to rest with high honors.  Since 1921, other unidentified soldiers have also been buried at this location in Arlington.  Each year, the current president traditionally lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

1993 Honoring Black and Female Veterans

“World News” report from 1993 highlights African American soldiers and female veterans who didn’t receive the same honors as white, male counterparts during World War II and the Vietnam War.

Also on This Day:

1979 Iran Hostage Crisis

On day 6 of captivity, a blindfolded hostage is brought outside the U.S. embassy.

2004 Yasser Arafat Dies

Mahmoud Abbas takes over as PLO chairman after the death of Arafat, the Palestinian leader.

Famous Birthdays

1744 Abigail Adams

1821 Fyodor Dostoyevsky

1922 Kurt Vonnegut

1940 Barbara Boxer

1945 Daniel Ortega

1951 Marc Summers

1960 Stanley Tucci

1962 Demi Moore

1962 James Morrison

1969 Carson Kressley

1974 Leonardo DiCaprio

1986 Mark Sanchez

Jump back to Nov. 10: Day in History.

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