The Veterans Day holiday began more than a century ago, albeit under a different name, as a celebration of the end of World War I. Over time, its name and purpose evolved into a day of recognition for U.S. veterans of all wars as well as those currently serving in uniform.

It's also a day off for U.S. postal workers and federal government employees, though most of them are not reporting to work right now during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

Many Veterans Day celebrations have been cancelled due to the government shutdown.

Veterans Day began as Armistice Day to celebrate the agreement between the Allied nations and Germany to cease all fighting during World War I that took effect at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918.

The U.S. marked its first Armistice Day under President Wood

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