(Washington, DC) – Americans and our World War One allies will pause to honor their military heroes today. The holiday is called Veterans Day here in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in countries such as Great Britain, France, Italy and Canada. The custom began in 1918 as Armistice Day, to commemorate Germany’s ceasefire on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Following World War Two and the Korean War, President Eisenhower signed a bill to rename the holiday Veterans Day. An annual ceremony is held at Arlington National Cemetery at 11 a.m. Eastern Time on November 11th. Regional observances are also planned at many national cemeteries around the nation. Most government offices are closed for the day.