Crank It Up to 11! It's Nigel Tufnel Day!

On this Veterans Day , our first order of business will be to thank those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and perhaps are heading Downtown for the 92st annual parade.

But there's a lot on the calendar for today —11-11-11. It's also a day to live life a little bit louder in honor of International Nigel Tufnel Day.

Yes indeed, folks: Fans of This is Spinal Tap have taken to Facebook and blogs to declare today a holiday honoring the "Spinal Tap" guitarist and would-be hat salesman best known for cranking up his amp to 11 —"one louder than 10."

So nosh on 11 Oreos and enjoy a Spinal Tap clip or two — even laugh yourself silly over the entire movie — in Nigel's honor. Be sure to avoid all music in that "saddest of all keys, D minor." There's too much else to do today.

What else makes Nov. 11, 2011 so special?

• There is just an itsy-bitsy little chance it could mark the end of the world. At least, that is part of the premise of the movie coming out, 11-11-11.  If you have further interest about whether Friday is when the world says “All done!,” you can join this Facebook group, “11/11/11, End of the World?”

• Matrimony-minded couples are flocking to Las Vegas to get married on the memorable date, according to MSNBC.com. If you're among them, by all means post your nuptial photos below.

• Staying closer to home? Pittsburgh's annual Veterans Day Parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. at the Civic Arena and follows the traditional route Downtown.

• It’s a marketing opportunity for techies. Verizon stores will open later than usual Friday — at 11:11 a.m. to release the new Droid Razr. No, the sticker price is not $111.11. It’s $299.99.

• Twin girls from Wisconsin will celebrate their 11^th birthday, and it will make national news, according to The Washington Post.  Is it your birthday? Prove it! Send us your party pix.

• A century ago, 11/11/1911, there was a huge cold snap in the United States, and temperatures in some places — at least in Kansas City — dropped by 60 degrees in one day, according to the Daily Mail. This year, we can expect a cloudy day with a high of 41 degrees, a low of 33 degrees and a chance of afternoon rain and snow showers.

• That forecast comes courtesy of the National Weather Service in Moon, which by the way will feature safety tips on avoiding frostbite and hypothermia as part of its observance of Winter Weather Awareness Week.

Assistant Regional Editor Lisa Rossi contributed.