November 11 is Veteran's Day in the United States. But because Veteran's Day falls on a Saturday this year, Friday, November 10 is a federal holiday.
A "veteran" is anyone who has served in the armed forces. The United States has about 18.5 million veterans. The term “veteran” is not just for those who have served in wars. It describes anyone who has ever been in the military.
On November 11, communities across the country hold ceremonies and parades to mark Veteran's Day. Military bands play. Public officials take part in the events. The United States entered the fighting in Europe in 1917. But the US armed forces were small. So the government began to draft men between the ages of 21 and 31.
The men came from cities and farms. Some were rich. Others were poor. There were doctors, lawyers, businessmen, and college students. Many were married. The following year, the government expanded the draft. Now it called on men between the ages of 18 and 45. More than 13 million reported for duty. Many women joined the armed forces, too. Some went to France to work as nurses in battlefield hospitals.
World War I ended when Germany surrendered(投降) at 11 o'clock in the morning on November 11, 1918 —in other words, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
The following year, President Woodrow Wilson signed a declaration to observe November 11th as Armistice Day(休战日) in the United States. In 1926, Congress made Armistice Day a national holiday. In 1954, Congress decided to change the name of Armistice Day. The holiday became Veteran's Day.
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