Today isn’t just any Monday. Nov. 11 is Veterans Day – the day set aside to honor the brave men + women who have fought to protect our country.

Veterans Day (originally called “Armistice Day”) was first observed on the first anniversary of the end of WWI (Nov. 11, 1919). In 1926, Congress passed a resolution for an annual observance of the day, but it wasn’t until 1938 that the day officially became a national holiday. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed the name to “Veterans Day” to honor all veterans, not just those who served in WWI.

DYK:

18.2 million veterans alive today have served in more than one war.
~496,000 of the Americans who fought in WWII are still alive.
Canada, Great Britain, Australia + France also celebrate the veterans of WWI + WWII on (or near) Nov. 11.

In honor of the holiday, here are some local events to celebrate the day.

Veterans Day Ceremony | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Auburndale Downtown City Park | Free | Hear the Centennial Bell start the ceremony with a display of military flags and guest speakers.

Haines City Veterans Day Ceremony | 1-2 p.m. | Military Court of Honor at Railroad Park, 502 E. Main St., Haines City | Celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of our U.S. veterans and support the nomination for Veteran of the Year.

Veterans Day Carillon Concert | 1-3 p.m. | Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales | $5-15 | A musical salute to the nation’s veterans + current members of the armed forces.

Veterans Day Hockey Game vs. Florida Southern | 6:30-8 p.m. | Lakeland Ice Arena, 3395 W. Memorial Blvd. | Free | Watch the Warriors play Florida Southern in a Veterans Day Tribute game. 🏒

Here at LALtoday, we want to say thank you to all FL veterans and active-duty military. We salute you.

– LALtoday team (Jessica + Kaylee)