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November 10, 2023
November 11, 1918 signaled the surrender of Germany to the Allied forces. Each subsequent November, Veterans and Civilians alike have celebrated this day. This event was initially called Armistice Day and was changed to Veteran’s Day in 1954.
With the news of the armistice, a crowd assembled in Knoxville outside of Hope Brothers Jewelry on Gay Street. The armistice was to begin on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The crowd was waiting in anticipation and began to cheer when the minute hand of the Hope Clock reached 12, according to the Knoxville History Project.
With the end of the First World War, many veterans returned to Knoxville and welcomed with festivals and food in Market Square. In continuing the tradition to honor and celebrate veterans of the United States of America, the American Legion Post 2 has been organizing the Veteran’s Day parade for 97 years. This year is the 97th such event.