This is Lee Habib, and this is Our American Stories, and we tell stories about everything here on this show,

including yours, send them to Our American Stories.com.

That's Our American Stories.com.

They're some of our favorites.

And today, all show long, we're celebrating Veterans Day.

And we bring you next a story from our regular contributor, Anne Claire.

Anne lives in Washington, and today she shares with us a bit of Veterans Day history and what some of the symbols of this day mean. Take it away, Anne.

One hundred and three years ago, World War I ended.

The armistice that brought about the end of the First World War went into effect in 1918 on November 11th at 11 a.m.

Now, several nations still mark this day and use it as a chance to remember not only the huge historical event of the armistice being signed, but also to remember all of the sacrifices that took place

before. In places like Canada and Britain, it is known as Remembrance Day. In the United States, it's had a couple of names.

Up until 1954, we recognized it as Armistice Day, primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I.

But in 1954, after World War II had sent millions of other Americans into service,

and after we'd also been involved in conflicts in Korea,

President Eisenhower signed off to change the name of the holiday, and now all of our calendars are marked on the 11th of November with the words Veterans Day.

People observe this day and honor those who serve in various ways.

Through ceremonies, through moments of silence.

The original concept was for a day that would be celebrated with parades and public meetings.

Symbols also are used in the celebration and remembrance.

One notable symbol is the Red Poppy, which came

into prominence as a symbol of veterans during World War I, largely due to a poem by John McCray in

Flandersfields. Another symbol that came about during the years of World War I that was used to recognize those who served and those who sacrificed were Blue Star and Gold Star banners.

...