Across the United States, groups, schools, cities and individuals will mark Veterans Day on Friday.
The holiday was first observed by President Woodrow Wilson in November 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I, which occurred on Nov. 11, 1918, at 11 a.m. Wilson urged citizens to acknowledge the day with "exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will."
An act approved on May 13, 1938, made Nov. 11 a legal holiday called Armistice Day, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs website.
On June 1, 1954, following fighting in World War II, then the Korean War, Congress renamed the holiday Veterans Day to honor the veterans of all wars.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued a proclamation "to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary."
Some area events honoring Veterans Day:
What: Flagpole ceremony and breakfast
Where: Brookwood Elementary School, 501 Central Ave., Dalton, Ga.
When: 8:45 a.m. Friday
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What: Ridgeland JROTC event featuring Lt. Col. Phillip Byrd
Where: Ridgeland High School, 2478 Happy Valley Road, Rossville
When: 9 a.m. Friday
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What: Veterans Day Ceremony
Where: Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Ave., Chattanooga
When: Music at 10:30 a.m., ceremony at 11. Friday
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What: Annual Veterans Day Ceremony
Where: 155 N. Ocoee St., Cleveland, Tenn. (Courthouse Plaza)
When: 11 a.m. Friday
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What: Bell ringing
Where: Participating churches in downtown Chattanooga
When: 11:11 a.m. Friday
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What: Salute to Our Veterans concert
Where: Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga
When: Noon-4 p.m. Friday
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What: Veterans lunch
Where: Girls Preparatory School, 205 Island Ave., Chattanooga
When: Noon for invited guests. Friday
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What: Veterans Day Celebration at Ringgold Depot featuring the Jericho Brass
Where: Ringgold Depot at U.S. Highway 41 and Depot Street, Ringgold, Ga.
When: 6:15-7:15 p.m. Friday
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What: Dalton Veterans Day Parade
Where: The parade begins at First Baptist Church on Thornton Avenue; Marine Joey Jones, who lost his legs during a bomb blast in Afghanistan, is grand marshal; a luncheon with Jones and other veterans will be served at the VFW post at 618 Veterans Drive after the parade.
When: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday