November 11, 1918

The end of World War I was official on July 28, 1919 with the Treaty of Versailles. The ostentatious palace of Louis XVI and the last home of Maria Antoinette.

However, the brutal fight had ended on November 11, 1918. At exactly 11 o'clock.

{Taken in Stenay, Meuse in France - of the 353rd infantry. Two minutes before the Armistice was called}

President Woodrow Wilson officially began the holiday with these words:

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with the solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in this 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..."

Later President Dwight D. Eisenhower created the national holiday (and got us all out of school ;) ) by signing the Veterans Day Bill

{President Eisenhower signing the Bill - October 8, 1954

Isn't it funny that one day can change all of our lives?

One day, one hour, one minute. 

They gave their lives, their happiness, their future's, their families, their everything. It's the least we can do to honor that and what they stood for.

Justice. Equality. Peace. Hope. 

To the troops - and the girls who let them go.