Here is a number puzzle from history. In 1918, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice was declared between the Allied nations and Germany. An armistice is a pause in the fighting. Eleven, eleven, eleven!
That moment was a really big deal. The fighting went silent, and peace came at last. So people picked November 11 as a special day to remember it. The date was chosen because of what it stood for, which is why the holiday sticks to November 11 every year.
But it was not always called Veterans Day. It started out as Armistice Day. Then in 1954, after veterans' groups asked for a change, the U.S. Congress swapped the word "Armistice" for "Veterans." That way the day could honor soldiers from the other major conflicts too.
And the United States is not alone. Great Britain, France, Australia and Canada also remember their veterans on or near November 11. Today, Veterans Day is marked with parades and other events to thank the men and women who have served.
If you could thank a veteran in your own words, what would you say?
