Today we observe Veteran's Day 2014

Today we observe Veteran’s Day 2014:      I wanted to share a tribute to all those who have served our country in military service. Parades and special observances are taking place throughout our nation today.  This serves as my simple tribute to say THANK   YOU to our veterans.

Difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day: Veterans Day is a federal holiday that is celebrated on Nov. 11 each year. It's often confused with Memorial Day, which is set aside to honor those who died serving their country. Veterans Day is for all those who have served in the armed forces. 

Armistice Day: The origins of the holiday date back to U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, who proclaimed Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919 to mark the end of World War I. The armistice between Germany and the Allied nations that ended WWI was signed on that day and a ceasefire went into effect on the 11^th hour of Nov. 11, 1918. An interesting note on that day, however. The war didn't have its official end until seven months later, when, on June 28, 1919, the parties signed the Treaty of Versailles in the Palace of Versailles in France.

How it was first marked: The initial celebration included a short work stopping at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11.

Early description of the holiday: Wilson's proclamation noted: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

Congress joins in: On June 4, 1926, Congress passed its own resolution asking President Calvin Coolidge to issue another proclamation to observe Nov. 11 as a holiday designed to celebrate world peace and the end of WWI