This story was updated to add new information.
Events and specials thanking past and present members of the military for their service, as well as their families, are taking place Friday through Monday, which is the official Veterans Day holiday.
Annual Veterans Day ceremony at War Memorial
“Veterans Day first began as Armistice Day to celebrate the ending of World War I,” the War Memorial notes in an announcement for Monday’s annual event. “World War I ended on the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 (November 11, 1918, at 11:11 a.m.). Armistices Day first became a legal holiday in 1938; it was celebrated on November 11 each year. In 1954 the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all who serve and have served in the military. In 1968 the holiday was moved to the fourth Monday of October in order for federal employees to have three-day weekends celebrating four national holidays that fell on Mondays, including Veterans Day. The first observance of the new date was in 1971; many states objected to the change and did not recognize the new date. In 1975 the observance date was changed back to November 11 with the first holiday on the new (November 11) date observed in 1978. If November 11 falls on a weekend, the holiday is observed the following Monday. While Veterans Day honors all service members, Memorial Day honors service members who lost their life in service to their country and honors our Gold Star Families. On Veterans Day, the US flag remains at full staff.”