I thought what better day to post PMAN# 11 than on 11-11-11 which is my 11th cache!
This is in a wooded region so please bring appropriate clothing to do a short hike.
11/11 Veterans Day
Have you ever wondered about the origin of Veterans Day or why the celebrations and observations are not moved to Monday like Presidents Day, Memorial Day and Columbus Day?
Well, here is the history lesson for today.
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919 to honor those that died in the country’s service in World War I. Congress amended this act on June 1, 1954, replacing "Armistice" with Veterans, and it has been known as Veterans Day since. It now is known to celebrate all veterans, not just those who served and died in World War I.
The holiday is commonly printed as Veteran's Day or Veterans' Day. While these spellings are grammatically acceptable, the United States government has declared that Veterans Day rather than Veteran’s Day is the official spelling.
World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The observance of Veterans Day on November 11 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.
So Veterans Day is celebrated on the 11th day of the 11th month and is not moved to a Monday or Friday just to ensure three-day weekends.