On Monday, Nov. 11, Americans will take the time to honor men and women who have bravely served and are currently serving the United States in the armed forces. Many businesses will close for the day so people can attend parades and celebrations to honor the nation's veterans, including the 2013 America's Parade in New York City.
But Veterans Day did not always have its current title; it was originally a day to celebrate peace.
Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day, which was the day fighting ended in World War I. Armistice went into effect at 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918.
The following November, President Woodrow Wilson declared Nov. 11 a commemoration of Armistice Day. An act of Congress made Nov. 11 a legal holiday in 1938, according to The Indy Channel.
Although Armistice Day was originally to honor WWI veterans, after WWII and the Korean War, the word "Armistice" was replaced by "Veterans" to include all members of the U.S. military. Veterans Day is now meant to honor all members of the military--those who served during times of war and peace.
Veterans Day is now marked by holding parades, such as the America's Parade in NYC, which continues the tradition of the New York City Veterans Day Parade.
The parade, which is the largest Veterans Day parade in the country, attracts 20,000 people from over 30 states and almost three quarters of a million live spectators, according to America's Parade.org. The parade will be broadcast live on Fox Television's MyNetworkTV.
New York City was originally selected as the site of the official "Nation's Parade," which included the 50th and 60th Anniversaries of the end of World War II (1995 and 2005), and the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War (2000).
The parade then became the NYC Veterans Day Parade, and is now called the America's Parade. The parade's purpose is to honor veterans and those currently serving in the military, and to generate interest in local Veterans Day activities across the nation.
The parade will begin at 11:25 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, after the opening ceremony. The parade will conclude around 3:30 p.m.
The parade will go up Fifth Avenue, from 26th to 56th Street. The parade is preceded by the opening ceremony at the Eternal Light Monument (5th Avenue at 24th Street, next to Madison Square Park). The ceremony begins at 10:00 AM and ends with a wreath laying at 11:00 AM. Seating is available at the ceremony, with preference given to disabled and elderly veterans.
Spectators, and especially family and friends of parade participants, are encouraged to show their support by gathering along the parade route.