Chrysanthemums were introduced into England from China. These hardy plants have since been found native in Japan, northern Africa, and southern Europe. Their flowers come in every color except blue. Their blooms come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes. Some are spherical in shape and have incurved petals at the center. Some have tubular-shaped petals of unequal length with little hooks at the end. Spoon Chrysanthemums have rather flat petals that are spoon-shaped at the end. Anemone Chrysanthemums have fairly flat, thin petals with shorter tubular petals in the center.

Ceremonies are being held to mark the ninetieth anniversary of the end of World War I. The service in Verdun was attended by President Sarkozy, who paid tribute to the millions who died. Verdun was the longest battle of a war. In the US, politicians took part in the Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington cemetery. Vice-President Dick Cheney and Defence Secretary Robert Gates participated in the wreath-laying ceremony at the national cemetery's Tomb of the Unknowns.