Californians with government jobs look forward to a day off on November 11. The holiday is the annual Veteran’s Day honoring U.S. veterans who have served in the nation’s military. In 2011, the day falls on Friday, making for a glorious 3 day weekend!

The national celebration held annually at Arlington National Cemetery with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns begins precisely at 11 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) and continues inside the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors by veterans’ organizations. The ceremony is intended to honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces.

California’s Veteran’s Day celebrations come in a variety of shapes and sizes. While parades and ceremonies with veterans and dignitaries are the most common, there are golf tournaments, military shows and other exciting events celebrating what was once called Armistice Day. On June 1, 1954, Congress replaced Armistice Day with Veterans Day honoring all veterans, not just those who died in World War I.