Veterans day is celebrated on Nov. 11 because that is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. It was originally called Armistice Day, but was changed to “Veterans Day” in 1954 in order to account for all veterans.
On Veterans Day, Americans observe a two-minute moment of silence beginning at 3:11 p.m. Atlantic standard time to honor of the service and sacrifice of veterans throughout history.
People in different time zones can observe the moment of silence at these times:
- Eastern Standard Time: 2:11 p.m.
- Central Standard Time: 1:11 (This is us!)
- Mountain Standard Time: 12:11
- Pacific Standard Time: 11:11 a.m.
- Alaska Standard Time: 10:11 a.m
- Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time: 9:11 a.m.
Want to learn more about veterans day? Here are some interesting reads:
- The Veterans Day Visitor by Peter Catalanotto
- The Poppy Lady by Barbara Elizabeth Walsh
- On the Horizon by Lois Lowry
- Veterans day by Marlene Targ Brill
- War Stories by Gordon Korman
