Join City of Houston and ABC13 in honoring those who served during American Heroes Parade on Nov.11

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- With Texas home to the largest veteran population in the nation, the Bayou City is preparing to honor service members with a slate of events during the annual "Houston Salutes American Heroes Veterans Day Celebration" on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

ABC13 is proud to stream the American Heroes Parade live at 11:30 a.m., bringing you all the festivities along the route in downtown Houston on Veterans Day.

This is the full list of planned events, which are free and open to the public.

10 a.m. - Veterans Day Ceremony featuring keynote speaker Ambassador Chase Untermeyer (Navy Veteran), who will recognize local heroes on the steps of City Hall.

11 a.m. - Moment of Silence in memory of the signing of the Armistice, which ended WWI.

11:30 a.m. - American Heroes Parade highlighting local veteran organizations, ROTC programs, bands, supporters, and more.

The parade route will start at Dallas and Bagby, proceed east on Dallas, north on Louisiana, west on Walker, south on Smith, west on Lamar, and end on Lamar at Bagby.

If you plan to head downtown for the event or you'll be in the area, these are the street closures you'll want to plan ahead for, with one impacting the day before the celebration.

8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 through 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11 - Additional curb lane closure for setup at 400-500 McKinney (north curb lane) and 400-500 Walker (north and south curb lane)

9 a.m. - Allen Parkway (inbound and outbound) between Taft and Bagby and Lamar north bike lane along Sam Houston Park

9:45 a.m. - Bagby between Clay and McKinney (McKinney off-ramp will remain open and will exit north on Bagby) and Bagby southbound closed at Walker

History of Veterans Day

Nov. 11 was celebrated as "Armistice Day" and an occasion to honor veterans of the first World War.

However, after WWII requiring the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the nation's history, and after American forces faced hostilities in Korea, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs explains that Congress amended the Act of 1938, which made Armistice Day a legal holiday. Additionally, Congress acted at the urging of veterans service organizations.

The word "armistice" was then replaced with "veterans," and on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became the day that honored American veterans of all wars.

Locally, veterans looking for more information about initiatives and programs can visit the Mayor's Office of Veterans and Military Affairs.