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Content

Veterans Day

Date

November 11

History

Veterans Day is a United States federal(pertaining to the national government level) holiday honouring military veterans(a person who has served in the military armed forces, especially one who served during wartime). It is observed(to follow the custom or practice) on November 11, which is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice in 1918. The Armistice between the Allies and Germany was an agreement that ended the fighting in the First World War. It marked a victory for the Allies and a complete defeat for Germany.

The U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed(to announce or declare) an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In 1953, the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans was born. In 1954, Congress replaced "Armistice" with "Veterans," and the holiday has been known as Veterans Day since.

Traditional observance

Because it is a federal holiday, many Americans have the day off from school or work for Veterans Day. Non-essential federal government offices are closed. No mail is delivered. The holiday is often celebrated by having a ravioli meal. This tradition dates back to the ending days of World War I when President Woodrow Wilson invited 2,000 soldiers to the White House and helped his staff(the employees of a business) chefs(the head cooks) cook them ravioli, which had just become very popular in mainstream American kitchens.

Source: http://www.learning-english-online.net/cultural-studies/holidays/usa/veterans-day/