On November 11, 1918 at 11 o'clock in the morning, the armistice between the Allies and Germany was signed, ending hostilities on Europe's Western Front in World War I. The time was significant: the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month was meant to signal, after fighting the most horrific war up to that time, that humanity was literally in its 11th hour in confronting the threat of war to its survival. Called Armistice Day at first, in 1954 President Eisenhower proclaimed that the holiday should be a commemoration of all veterans and from then on, we've known it as Veterans Day.
Today, we Americans honor our Armed Forces veterans who served their country in war and peace, remindful that their service and sacrifice should be honored not only today, but every day.
BONUS: Charles Pierce has a poignant message on this Veterans Day.
