Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day and commemorated the end of fighting in 1918 on the Western Front in Europe between the Allies and Germany.

The Armistice of Compiègne was signed earlier in the morning on Nov. 11, 1918, but many people remember from a history lesson that “at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month” the armistice went into effect and, more or less, ended World War I.

Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all veterans for their service.

While Veterans Day honors all who have served, Memorial Day in May is the time to remember those who died during military service.

Here is a sampling of local Veterans Day events.

Today

Veterans Day celebration in La Crescenta: American Legion Post 288 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1614 will host an event honoring all veterans and active duty military at 8 a.m. The program includes a Presentation of Colors by the Crescenta Valley High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, an “Armed Forces Medley” performed by the American Legion Color Guard and an American flag retirement ceremony by Boy Scout Troop 288. Location: Two County Strike Park, 5107 Rosemont Ave., La Crescenta. Contact: Dick Clubb, 818-384-5761.

Veterans Day Ceremony in Alhambra: The city and American Legion Post 139 present an event beginning with a continental breakfast and music at 10 a.m., followed by the ceremony at 11 a.m. Location: Alhambra Park Veterans Memorial, 500 N. Palm Ave. 626-570-3242. Flyer: tinyurl.com/3x28xxsz.

Pasadena Salutes Our Veterans: The city and the Pasadena Veterans Day Committee present a Veterans Day event that will include keynote speaker Col. Juan M. Mora, chief of staff, 40th Infantry Division, a “Yellow Ribbon” ceremony to honor the 2D Battalion 23D Marine Corps Regiment and a flyover by the Condor Squadron, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Location: Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave., Pasadena. Details: cityofpasadena.net/event/veterans-day-celebration/.

Veterans Day at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: The event honoring veterans will include musical entertainment, a Civil War encampment, a display of military vehicles and a Veterans Day program, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Condor Squadron is scheduled to make a flyover at 10:30 a.m. The program, at 11 a.m., includes an honor guard, live music and remarks by keynote speaker Randy Gaddo, retired U.S. Marine Corps chief warrant officer-4. Admission is free for the program and outdoor events. Register for seats at the program on the website. There is an admission charge for museum exhibits including “Eyes of Freedom,” which will be available through Dec. 8 (reaganlibrary.com/eyesoffreedom). Museum admission is available online at reaganfoundation.org/library-museum/online-ticket-sales/. Location: 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. Event details: reaganfoundation.org/programs-events/events-calendar/veterans-day-commemoration-2024/.

Veterans Day celebration in Burbank: The event will begin with a concert by the Burbank Community Band at 10:15 a.m., followed by a ceremony honoring all veterans at 11 a.m. A flyover by the Condor Squadron has been scheduled. Location: McCambridge Park, War Memorial, corner of Amherst Drive and San Fernando Road. Contact: 818-238-5378. Flyer: facebook.com/BurbankCommunityBand/. City of Burbank flyer: tinyurl.com/3trazydv.

Veterans Day at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills: The 65th annual celebration will honor veterans with a flyover by the Condor Squadron; an invocation and benediction by the Rev. Msgr. Frank Hicks from St. Basil Roman Catholic Church in Los Angeles; patriotic music by the Los Angeles Police Concert Band; a reading of the Veterans Day presidential proclamation by Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton, all starting at 11 a.m. The keynote speaker will be U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Gilbert Cisneros. Michael Ellington, a 36-year veteran of the LAPD will emcee. The event will also include family-friendly activities and light refreshments. Admission is free. Location: Outside the Hall of Liberty, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, L.A. Contact: 855-800-5296. Details: facebook.com/forestlawn. forestlawn.com/events/veterans-day/.

Veterans Day Ceremony in Newhall: The city of Santa Clarita will co-host an event honoring veterans, including remarks by local veterans, at 11 a.m. The ceremony will also include a patriotic performance by Terrell Edwards, a U.S. Navy veteran; a special reading for prisoners of war and those who are missing in action by Jerry Rhodes; changing of the flags by Knights of Columbus, Santa Clarita Valley Assembly, and the Santa Clarita Valley Young Marines and the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 355. Location: Veterans Historical Plaza, 24275 N. Walnut St. Contact: 661-250-3787. Details: santaclaritaveterans.com/veterans-day-ceremony/.

Veterans Day Ceremony at Rancho Tapo Community Park and Veterans Plaza: A salute to veterans will take place at 11 a.m. Location: 3700 Avenida Simi, Simi Valley. Contact: 805-526-6453. Details from Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District: tinyurl.com/bdhxue5a.

City of West Hollywood 2024 Veterans Day Ceremony: The event will honor veterans and active military and include the Pledge of Allegiance, bugler playing of Taps, a moment of silence for those who died in service to the country and members from the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles singing the National Anthem, all starting at 11 a.m. Location: Sal Guarriello Veterans’ Memorial, corner of Holloway Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood. Contact: 323-848-6534. Details: weho.org/Home/Components/News/News/11455/23.

San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade: The 21st annual parade — Honoring Those Who Served Past and Present — will begin at 11:11 a.m. The grand marshal will be Edward Landin, Specialist 4, U.S. Army, 1971-1973. Route: Laurel Canyon and San Fernando Mission boulevards (in Mission Hills), south on Laurel Canyon to Paxton Street in Pacoima. Also, the San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Weekend Carnival will take place from 2-20 p.m. Carnival location: Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, 1073 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima. (see the carnival flyer on the website). Contact Fred Flores with parade questions: 818-645-5699. Parade details: sfvveteransdayparade.com.

veterans resources

Disabled American Veterans: dav.org.

Gary Sinise Foundation: garysinisefoundation.org/mission.

Wings Over Wendy’s: Veterans from all services and of all ages, and their supporters, meet from 8:30-11 a.m. every Monday. Location: 7401 Shoup Ave., West Hills. Contact: Ed Reynolds, 818-884-4013. Details: wingsoverwendys.com.

Wounded Warrior Project: woundedwarriorproject.org.