Veterans Day is celebrated every November 11th. Its purpose is to honor those who have served America in all wars. Veterans Day began as Armistice Day in 1921. The armistice to end World War I, was signed at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, on November 11, 1918. When an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, it became a place of reverence for America's veterans. When other countries such as France and England also buried one of their unknown soldiers from World War I in a place of honor, each taking place on November 11th, the world recognized these memorial services to the end of World War I an official day called "Armistice Day-. .
Armistice Day received its name in America in 1926. Twelve years later, it became a national holiday. There was a hope that World War I would be "the War to end all wars-. If that were true, this national holiday would still be called Armistice Day however, three years later, war (World War II) broke out in Europe. Over sixteen and one-half million Americans took part in World War II, and over 407,000 Americans died in service during World War II. When people realized that world peace was equally preserved by the veterans of World War II, Congress made November 11th a day to honor all who served in all America's wars. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill that said November 11th would be known as Veteran's Day. A law was passed in 1968 changing the date to the 4th Monday in October, but because of the significance of the 11th day of the 11th month (November 11th), it was restored to its traditional date. .
Every year there is a national ceremony held at Arlington National Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. At 11:00 A.M., a combined color guard representing all the military services "presents arms- at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The tribute to all the war dead is symbolized by laying a presidential wreathe, and a bugler playing "taps-.
