Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month

SEELEY LAKE - Veterans Day, why do we celebrate it on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m.?

Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans—living or dead—but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.

Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. “The Great War”, as World War I was known, officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed June 28, 1919. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when a temporary cessation of hostilities or “armistice” between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, Nov. 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

Congress passed a resolution for an annual observance and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Since that time, there have been several changes in name, from Armistice to Veterans Day, and in the day, from the fourth Monday in October which was to ensure a three-day weekend for Federal employees.

The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to Nov. 11, regardless of what day of the week it falls, not only preserves the historical significance of the date but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: “A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”

We invite you to join The Veteran’s & Families of Seeley Lake (VFSL) at their annual Veterans Day ceremony on Friday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at the Seeley Lake Veterans’ Memorial Garden on Highway 83 just north of Seeley Lake.