For more than 100 years, America has been honoring its veterans on November 11, marking the date in 1918 when the Armistice with Germany went into effect as the sound of artillery went silent along the Western Front in France. The hostilities of World War I had come to an end.

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson formally proclaimed Armistice Day the following year on Nov. 11, 1919, saying, "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."

An act of Congress was approved in 1938 making Nov. 11 a legal holiday known as Armistice Day. Congress later amended the act to replace "Armistice" with "Veterans," and Veterans Day became official on June 1, 1954.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, formal events marking Veterans Day were canceled, although private ceremonies were organized to honor Alexandria’s veterans.