Veterans Day
Do you know any veterans? A veteran is a person who has served in the armed forces. Maybe you know someone who served in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or another service. If you do, then you know a veteran!
Veterans Day is a holiday observed on November 11 in the United States. It is dedicated to all those who have fought for the United States and to the memory of those Americans who died in battle. Canadians celebrate a similar holiday called Remembrance Day on November 11.
VETERANS DAY CEREMONIES
Veterans Day ceremonies involve gatherings of old soldiers with grateful citizens. In many cities and towns, there are parades and speeches to remind people of the sacrifices soldiers have made. Often, flowers are laid at the gravesides of dead soldiers.
In 1921, the body of an unknown American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Later, two other unknown soldiers were buried there from other wars. The site is now known as Tomb of the Unknowns. Special Veterans Day services are held at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
HISTORY OF VETERANS DAY
Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day. It was first observed in honor of the armistice (break in fighting) that ended World War I (1914-1918). Armistice Day took place on November 11 because the fighting ended on November 11, 1918.
The first Armistice Day celebrations began in 1919, one year after the war ended. In 1938, Armistice Day became a national holiday in the United States.
In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a law changing the name of the holiday to Veterans Day. The reason was so that veterans of other wars could also be honored, not just soldiers from World War I.
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