Local Veterans Day observances

According to a Census Bureau report, 23.7 million veterans live in the United States, making Veterans Day one that touches the lives of every American.

Veterans Day originated as "Armistice Day" on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938, according to the Census Bureau. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 to change the name to Veterans Day as a way to honor those who served in all American wars.

The day also has evolved into honoring living military veterans with parades and speeches. A national ceremony takes place at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Naperville honors its veterans, too. Here are a few of those remembrances and gatherings planned for the weekend:

                

Professional entertainer Joe Cantafio performs during the DuPage County Salute to Veterans on Thursday at the DuPage County Historical Museum in Wheaton. Cantafio has taken his troop-supporting melodies on tour across the nation, as well as to Iraq.
Beck Diefenbach / Staff photographer