A two-minute period of silence is observed on Veterans Day, November 11th, beginning at 11:00 a.m. The official national ceremony, including the moment of silence and a wreath-laying, takes place at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
The significance of this specific time is rooted in history. World War I formally ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. This tradition was formally recognized in U.S. law with the passage of the "Veterans Day Moment of Silence Act" in 2016. This legislation encourages all Americans to observe two minutes of silence to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans.
While the national ceremony is held at 11:00 a.m. EST, the act encourages participation across the country at 11:00 a.m. in each local time zone. This creates a rolling tribute that moves across the nation. Individuals, businesses, schools, and local communities are all invited to pause at this time, providing a unified, yet localized, moment of reflection and gratitude for all who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
