by Polaris Black
It was the eleventh day of November and Rosie Weasley was rushing to get to her Muggle Studies class. Whenever she passed the Great Hall on her way to the classroom, she always laughed a little. Her parents and grandparents tried to impress upon her the importance of appreciating the Muggle world so she resisted as much as they insisted. They were right, of course, but she wasn’t sure she was ready to admit that she was really enjoying the class.
As she slid into her seat, Rosie saw the words Professor Caterva had written on the board: 11 November, Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, and Veterans Day. “November eleventh is a day on which many Muggles around the world honor those who served in the armed forces,” Professor Caterva began. “Professor, what’s the significance of November eleventh?” asked Rosie.
“The Armistice with Germany, which formally ended the major hostilities of World War I, went into effect at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918,” answered Professor Caterva.
Rosie smiled and thought, “That’s a numerology jackpot!”
“November eleventh is called Armistice Day in France, New Zealand and many other countries,” continued ProfessorCaterva. “In Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, November eleventh is called Remembrance Day or sometimes Poppy Day. In the United States, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 and became an official holiday honoring all who served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard”.
Rosie followed along in her textbook. The Veterans Day National Ceremony is held each year on November 11th at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony commences precisely at 11:00 a.m. with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns and continues inside the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors by veterans' organizations and remarks from dignitaries. The ceremony is intended to honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces.
“What’s the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, Professor?” Rosie asked.
“Memorial Day honors those who have lost their lives while serving,” explained Professor Caterva. “Veterans Day is celebrated to honor and thank all who have served in the military in times of war or peace”.
After class, Rosie couldn’t help but think about her parents, the Potters, Professor Longbottom, her uncles George and Fred, the Lupins, and all the others who served in the Second Wizarding War. She wondered why there wasn’t a magical equivalent to the Muggle holiday and made a mental note to discuss it with her mother during Christmas break.
As she slid into her seat, Rosie saw the words Professor Caterva had written on the board: 11 November, Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, and Veterans Day. “November eleventh is a day on which many Muggles around the world honor those who served in the armed forces,” Professor Caterva began. “Professor, what’s the significance of November eleventh?” asked Rosie.
“The Armistice with Germany, which formally ended the major hostilities of World War I, went into effect at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918,” answered Professor Caterva.
Rosie smiled and thought, “That’s a numerology jackpot!”
“November eleventh is called Armistice Day in France, New Zealand and many other countries,” continued ProfessorCaterva. “In Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, November eleventh is called Remembrance Day or sometimes Poppy Day. In the United States, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 and became an official holiday honoring all who served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard”.
Rosie followed along in her textbook. The Veterans Day National Ceremony is held each year on November 11th at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony commences precisely at 11:00 a.m. with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns and continues inside the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors by veterans' organizations and remarks from dignitaries. The ceremony is intended to honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces.
“What’s the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, Professor?” Rosie asked.
“Memorial Day honors those who have lost their lives while serving,” explained Professor Caterva. “Veterans Day is celebrated to honor and thank all who have served in the military in times of war or peace”.
After class, Rosie couldn’t help but think about her parents, the Potters, Professor Longbottom, her uncles George and Fred, the Lupins, and all the others who served in the Second Wizarding War. She wondered why there wasn’t a magical equivalent to the Muggle holiday and made a mental note to discuss it with her mother during Christmas break.