What Happened on November 11?
November 11 is Veterans Day — a U.S. federal holiday rooted in the 1918 World War I armistice — on the same date Angola declared independence in 1975, Washington became a state in 1889, and Poland regained independence in 1918.
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1889 — Washington becomes the 42nd U.S. state
On November 11, 1889, Washington Territory entered the Union as the 42nd state. Read the full story →
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1918 — World War I ends with the Armistice of Compiègne
On November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m., fighting on the Western Front stopped as Germany signed an armistice ending World War I. Read the full story →
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1918 — Poland regains independence after World War I
On November 11, 1918, Poland celebrated restored independence as Józef Piłsudski took power in Warsaw. Read the full story →
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1921 — The U.S. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is dedicated
On November 11, 1921, America dedicated the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Read the full story →
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1926 — The U.S. numbered highway system — including Route 66 — is established
On November 11, 1926, the United States adopted its numbered highway system, and Route 66 was born as a Chicago-to-Los Angeles path. Read the full story →
Famous birthdays
Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821–1881) · George S. Patton (1885–1945) · Kurt Vonnegut (1922–2007) · Leonardo DiCaprio (1974)
Days & observances
Veterans Day · Armistice Day / Remembrance Day · Polish National Independence Day · National Sundae Day