Welcome to Bedtime History.
Hello, this is Breck.
So I have to tell you a funny story.
The other day I was at the store with my son.
He really wanted a new toy.
He just had to have it.
You've been there as a parent.
Then I said, okay, you have your own money.
You can buy it.
He thought about it for a moment and then said, nevermind.
I guess I don't want it that much.
I had to laugh afterward but I love that the Acorns Early app and debit card teaches my kids to manage their own money.
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As a parent, it can be challenging to find screen time options that are both entertaining and educational.
I get the feeling I've been there.
We recently tried Cocomelon Sing and Play with JJ on our Smart TV, and the difference was obvious.
Instead of zoning out, our kids were up on their feet laughing, singing and clapping, along with JJ and friends.
Using this really cool innovative technology on the Smart TV.
The characters actually responded to our kids' voices and movements, which made it feel like a real play session rather than a show.
Developed by early childhood experts, Cocomelon.
Sing and Play with JJ supports vocabulary growth rhythm, coordination and confidence.
The experience is safe, ad-free and completely hands-free on the big screen, which means no fiddling with remotes.
Our kids loved being part of the action and we love seeing them light up while learning through joyful music and movement.
So if you want screen time that feels like playtime you can feel good about, give it a try.
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Just search Volley in your TV's app store and start your free trial of Cocomelon.
Sing and play with JJ today.
Volley.
Imagine you're standing outside on a chilly November morning.
You're watching a parade go down Main Street in your town.
Marching bands play patriotic music.
Flags wave in the cool breeze.
Then you see them.
Veterans of all ages walk by in their uniforms.
Some are young.
Some have gray hair.
Some ride in wheelchairs or use canes.
The crowd claps and cheers.
Little kids wave American flags.
Your teacher told you this is Veterans Day, and it's happening this month.
But what is Veterans Day really about, and why do we celebrate it every November 11th?
The story behind this special holiday is pretty amazing.
To understand Veterans Day, we need to go back to November 11th, 1918.
That's more than 100 years ago!
On that day, something incredible happened.
World War I, which people called the Great War back then, came to an end.
This war had been going on for more than four years.
Countries all across Europe and beyond had been fighting.
Millions of soldiers and civilians had died.
It was one of the deadliest wars in history.
The fighting didn't just stop randomly.
The countries that were at war signed an agreement called an armistice.
That's a fancy word that means they agreed to stop fighting.
But here's what makes November 11th so special.
The armistice went into effect at a very specific time.
It started at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
In other words, fighting stopped at 11 o'clock in the morning on November 11th, 1918.
Can you imagine being a soldier and watching the clock tick toward 11am, knowing that when it struck, the war would be over?
Soldiers who survived must have felt so relieved.
After years of dangerous battles, they could finally go home to their families.
One soldier named Andrew Johnson remembered that his unit was waiting outside a big city called Metz.
They were getting ready to attack, which would have been really dangerous.
But then the armistice happened and they didn't have to fight anymore.
The war was over and they were safe.
The next year, in 1919, President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11th as Armistice Day.
It was a day to remember all the brave soldiers who fought in World War I.
President Wilson said that Americans should feel proud of the soldiers who gave their lives and grateful for the victory.
The first celebrations included parades and public meetings.
At 11 o'clock in the morning, businesses would stop for two minutes so everyone could be quiet and remember the soldiers.
It was a solemn and respectful way to honor those who served.
In 1938, Congress made November 11th an official federal holiday.
That means it became a day when many people got off work and schools closed.
Armistice Day was dedicated to world peace and to remembering the veterans of World War I.
Everyone thought that World War I would be the war to end all wars.
They hoped there would never be another big war again.
But sadly, that's not what happened.
Just a few years later, World War II began.
This war was even bigger than World War I.
Sixteen and a half million Americans served in World War II.
More than 400,000 of them died.
Then after World War II ended, another war started in Korea.
Suddenly, America had millions of veterans from wars that happened after World War I.
People started to think that Armistice Day should honor all veterans, not just those from one war.
This is where Raymond Weeks comes into the story.
Raymond Weeks was a Navy veteran from Birmingham, Alabama.
After he came home from World War II in 1945, he had an idea.
He thought there should be a holiday that honored all veterans from all wars, not just World War I veterans.
Raymond believed that every person who served in the military deserved to be recognized and thanked.
Raymond didn't just think about this idea, he did something about it.
In 1946, he wrote letters and petitions asking the government to create a National Veterans Day.
He even went to Washington DC and delivered his petition personally to General Dwight Eisenhower, who was the Army Chief of Staff at the time.
General Eisenhower thought it was a great idea and supported Raymond's plan.
While Raymond was waiting for the government to make it official, he didn't sit around doing nothing.
In 1947 he organized the very first Veterans Day celebration in his hometown of Birmingham Alabama.
He held a parade and other festivities to honor all veterans.
Even though it wasn't an official national holiday yet, Raymond wanted to start the tradition right away.
He believed it was that important.
Raymond Weeks kept working on this for years.
He never gave up.
Finally, in 1954, his dream came true.
Representative Ed Reese from Kansas proposed a bill in Congress to change Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
Congress passed the bill.
And on June 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into law.
Remember, Eisenhower was the same general who had supported Raymond's idea back in 1946.
Now as president, he was making it official.
November 11th became Veterans Day, a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Raymond Weeks continued to organize Veterans Day celebrations in Birmingham every year until he died in 1985.
He dedicated his life to making sure veterans were honored and appreciated.
In 1982, President Ronald Reagan gave Raymond a special award called the Presidential Citizens Medal.
During the ceremony, Elizabeth Dole, who worked for President Reagan, introduced Raymond as the father of Veterans Day.
It was a well-deserved title for someone who worked so hard to create this important holiday.
There's one more interesting twist in the Veterans Day story.
In 1968, Congress passed something called the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
This law moved several holidays to Mondays so people could have three-day weekends.
From 1971 to 1977, Veterans Day was celebrated on the fourth Monday in October instead of the November 11th.
But many people didn't like this change.
Veterans and their families felt that November 11th was too important to change.
The date had historical meaning because of the armistice.
So in 1975, President Gerald Ford signed a law that moved Veterans Day back to November 11th.
Starting in 1978, the holiday returned to its original date.
Today, Veterans Day is always celebrated on November 11th, no matter what day of the week it falls on.
This preserves the historical significance of the date and reminds us why the holiday exists in the first place.
You might be wondering, what's the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?
That's a great question.
Memorial Day, which happens in May, is a day to remember and honor soldiers who died while serving their country.
It's specifically for those who gave their lives.
Veterans Day, on the other hand, honors all veterans, both living and deceased.
It's a day to thank everyone who has ever served in the military, whether they served during wartime or peacetime, and whether they're still with us or not.
Today, Veterans Day is celebrated all across America.
There are parades in cities and towns.
Schools hold special assemblies where they invite veterans to speak.
Many restaurants offer free meals to veterans as a way to say thank you.
People visit veterans' hospitals to spend time with those who are sick or injured.
Families call their relatives who served in the military to thank them for their service.
Veterans have served our country in so many different ways.
Some veterans flew planes.
Some drove tanks.
Some worked as doctors and nurses helping injured soldiers.
Some worked on ships in the Navy.
Some served in the Marine Corps, the Army, the Air Force, or the Coast Guard.
Some veterans served during wars.
Others served during peacetime, training and preparing in case they were needed.
All of them made sacrifices to protect our country and our freedom.
When someone joins the military, they're making a big commitment.
They might have to move far away from their families.
They might miss important events like birthdays, holidays, and graduations.
They have to follow strict rules and work really hard.
Some veterans face danger and scary situations.
When they come home, some struggle with injuries or difficult memories.
Being a veteran isn't easy, and that's why they deserve our respect and gratitude.
This November, when Veterans Day comes around, you can do something special to honor veterans.
You could make a thank you card for a veteran in your community.
You could attend a Veterans Day parade or a ceremony.
You could ask your grandparents or older relatives if they know any veterans and hear their stories.
You could draw an American flag or write a letter to send to veterans at a hospital.
Even small gestures can mean a lot to someone who has served.
The next time you see someone in a military uniform or someone wearing a cap that says they're a veteran, you can say thank you for your service.
Those simple words mean a lot.
They show that you recognize the sacrifices that person made for our country.
So this November 11th, take a moment to think about veterans.
Think about the soldiers who fought in World War I and heard the clock strike 11 am on that November morning in 1918.
Think about the millions of men and women who have worn military uniforms throughout American history.
And think about what you can do to show your appreciation for their service.
Because Veterans Day isn't just about remembering the past.
It's about honoring the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country every single day.
