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 in the military, Memorial Day in May is the time to remember those who died during military service.
Here is a sampling of Veterans Day events, arranged by date and start time:
Nov. 8
Veterans Day Ceremony and Field of Flags Display: The City of San Gabriel and the San Gabriel Veterans Memorial Coalition present the event, 10 a.m. Plaza Park, 428 S. Mission Drive, San Gabriel. 626-308-2875. Email: CommSrvInfo@sgch.org. Flyer: www.sangabrielcity.com/1759/Veterans-Day-Ceremony
Nov. 11
Veterans Day celebration in La Crescenta: American Legion Post 288 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1614 host an event that honors all veterans and active duty military, 8 a.m. Nov. 11. The program includes the “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 conducted by Boy Scout Troop 288. Two Strike Park, 5107 Rosemont Ave., La Crescenta. Dick Clubb, 818-384-5761.
Veterans Day Ceremony in Alhambra: The city and American Legion Post 139 present the event that begins with a continental breakfast and music, 10 a.m., followed by the ceremony, 11 a.m. Alhambra Park Veterans Memorial, 500 N. Palm Ave. 626-570-3242. Flyer: tinyurl.com/yyhbbcdc
Pasadena Salutes Our Veterans: The city and the Pasadena Veterans Day Committee present a Veterans Day event that includes California Court of Appeal Associate Justice Eileen C. Moore, and a decorated combat nurse who served in Vietnam with the Army Nurse Corps as the keynote speaker, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. A flyover at 11:11 a.m. by the Condor Squadron is scheduled. Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave., Pasadena. Details: www.cityofpasadena.net/parks-and-rec/event/veterans-day-celebration/
Veterans Day at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: The event honoring veterans includes musical entertainment by Project Peace by Piece Ensemble and Note 4 Notes Chamber Ensemble, a Civil War encampment and a display of military vehicles, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 11. The program at 11 a.m. includes an honor guard, live music and remarks by Capt. Andy Litteral, chief staff officer, Naval Base Ventura County, and the keynote speaker, retired Army Sgt. Eric Donoho. Donoho signs his book “Canyon of Hope: From Darkness to Dawn — Embracing the Light Within,” noon-12:30 p.m. Free admission for the program and outdoor events. Make a reservation on the website for seats at the program and also to pre-purchase the book. There is an admission charge for all museum exhibits, including the new special exhibit, “Cowboys: History and Hollywood,” that runs through April 19, 2026. Museum admission is available online (https://www.reaganfoundation.org/library-museum/online-ticket-sales/). The library is at 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. Event details: https://www.reaganfoundation.org/events/veterans-day-commemoration-2025
City of Whittier Celebrates Veterans: The city’s event includes family activities, live music and performances, 10-11:30 a.m. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket for seating. Central Park, 13212 Park St., 562-567-9470. Flyer: tinyurl.com/yfzfzcf8
Veterans Day celebration in Burbank: The event begins with a concert by the Burbank Community Band, 10:15 a.m., followed by a ceremony honoring all veterans, 11 a.m. A flyover by the Condor Squadron has been scheduled. McCambridge Park, War Memorial, corner of Amherst Drive and San Fernando Road. 818-238-5378. Flyer: www.facebook.com/BurbankCommunityBand/. Also, City of Burbank flyer: tinyurl.com/3trazydv
Veterans Day – Honoring the Brave – Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills: The event includes patriotic music, the presidential proclamation read by Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton, invocation and benediction by Monsignor Francis J. Hicks of St. Basil Roman Catholic Church, remarks by Los Angeles City Councilmember John Lee, a color guard, a wreath laying, and a flyover by the Condor Squadron, 11 a.m. Keynote speaker: Capt. LaStacia Neat, aide to the commanding general, California State Guard. Free admission and parking. Outside of the Hall of Liberty, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles. 855-800-5296. Flyer: https://forestlawn.com/events/veterans-day-2025/
Veterans Day Ceremony in Newhall: The City of Santa Clarita and American Legion Post 507 co-host the event that honors veterans and includes remarks by elected officials, including members of the Santa Clarita City Council and Congressman George Whitesides, and Jerry Rhodes, a representative of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 355, gives a special reading in honor of prisoners of war and those missing in action, 11 a.m. The ceremony also includes music by Hartbeat, a Hart High School a capella choir. Veterans Historical Plaza, 24275 N. Walnut St. 661-250-3787. Facebook: tinyurl.com/5h7usba9. santaclaritaveterans.com/veterans-day-ceremony/
Veterans Day – Salute to Wellness – Simi Valley: The “Veterans Day of Connection and Care” begins with a USO-Camp-style tribute show, 11 a.m., and followed by a Veterans Wellness Fair that includes resources for mental health and counseling, fitness and nutrition, and also local veteran organizations, noon-3 p.m. Rancho Tapo Community Park and Veterans Plaza, 3700 Avenida Simi, Simi Valley. 805-526-6453. Details from Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District: tinyurl.com/bdhxue5a
City of West Hollywood 2025 Veterans Day Ceremony: The event honoring veterans and active military includes the Pledge of Allegiance, a bugler playing Taps, a moment of silence for those who died in service to the country, and members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles singing the National Anthem, 11 a.m. At this year’s ceremony, the city highlights transgender veterans to acknowledge their service. Sal Guarriello Veterans’ Memorial, corner of Holloway Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood. 323-848-6534. Email: recreation@weho.org. www.weho.org/Home/Components/News/News/11916/23
San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade: The 22nd annual parade — Honoring Those Who Served Past and Present — begins at 11:11 a.m. Grand marshals: Gunnery Sgt. Martin Lopez (U.S. Marine Corps, 1992-2010) and Pvt. Gregory Garcia Jr. (U.S. Army, 1948-1952, Korean War). Honorary grand marshals: Pvt. 1st Class Ronald J. Puga (U.S. Army, 1970-1974, Vietnam War) and Cpl. Elliott McKenzie (U.S. Marine Corps, 2003-2007, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom). Route: Laurel Canyon and San Fernando Mission boulevards (in Mission Hills), south on Laurel Canyon to Paxton Street (in Pacoima). Contact Fred Flores for parade questions, 818-645-5699. www.sfvveteransdayparade.com