As America's troops come home from foreign wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, November 11 has been designated as a day to honor their service and to remember the service of veterans throughout our history.
Veterans Day was once known as Armistice Day and it has been a day of remembrance for our veterans since 1919.
On the "11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month" in 1918, the sounds of battle ceased all across Europe, ending the "Great War."
Although the United States was a newcomer to what became World War I, nearly five million Americans were called into service, and more than 116,000 died while serving, including 63,000 who died from disease. Another 670,000 Americans were wounded. Many were left with lungs ruined and scarred by poison gas.
The last American veteran of the Great War died in 2007.
After World War I ended, President Woodrow Wilson asked all Americans to reflect on those who died while serving their country by pausing for two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1919, to observe the first Armistice Day.
Remembrances and parades were held all over the country to honor the fallen, echoing similar observances in France, Great Britain and Belgium.
Across Europe, nearly every family suffered the loss of a son, father or brother in the Great War. In France, 25 percent of military-age men died and another 50 percent were wounded.
The English referred to their losses as the "Lost Generation" with nearly half the men of military age killed or wounded.
Austria and Germany suffered losses of a similar magnitude. No one knows how many Russians perished.
Congress declared November 11, 1921, a federal holiday to honor all Americans who served in the war, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was dedicated in Arlington National Cemetery on that day.
Armistice Day was not recognized as an "official" annual federal holiday until 1938, although it was observed each year throughout the nation and was a state holiday in most states before then.
In 1954, the name Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day to acknowledge the sacrifices Americans made during World War II and the Korean War.