As Veterans Day approaches each November, your children may be preparing for a school assembly, seeing American flags displayed around town, or hearing people thank veterans for their military service. They probably know that November 11 is a day to honor the men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces.
But why November 11? And how did a holiday originally commemorating the end of World War I become a day honoring American veterans from every generation?
Why Is Veterans Day Celebrated on November 11?
On the morning of November 11, 1918, soldiers fighting along the Western Front in France and Belgium were approaching a moment that millions of people had been waiting for. After more than four years of devastating warfare, the fighting between Germany and the Allied powers was finally coming to an end.
Earlier that morning, representatives had signed an armistice, an agreement to stop fighting. It was scheduled to take effect at 11:00 a.m., giving the date a memorable distinction: the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
When the appointed hour arrived, the guns along the Western Front fell silent. The war had claimed millions of lives, and much of Europe had been devastated by the fighting. Although Germany and the Allied powers wouldn’t sign the Treaty of Versailles until June 1919, November 11, 1918, became the date most closely associated with the end of World War I.
The United States had entered the war in 1917, and millions of Americans served during the conflict. For those who survived, the armistice meant that the fighting was finally over, although many would remain overseas for months before returning home.
One year later, President Woodrow Wilson called for Americans to observe the anniversary as Armistice Day. The occasion was intended to honor those who had served and sacrificed during World War I while expressing hope for a lasting peace.
How Armistice Day Became Veterans Day
Americans continued observing Armistice Day in the years that followed, and Congress made it a federal holiday in 1938. Just three years later, the United States entered World War II, bringing millions more Americans into military service.
One veteran helped broaden the occasion.
In 1947, Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran from Birmingham, Alabama, organized an Armistice Day celebration honoring veterans of all American wars. Rather than limiting the occasion to remembering World War I, Weeks wanted Americans to recognize military service across generations.
In 1954, Congress officially changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the legislation into law and later issued the first presidential Veterans Day proclamation.
Interestingly, November 11 wasn’t always the date on which the federal government observed Veterans Day. Beginning in 1971, Veterans Day was observed on the fourth Monday in October as part of an effort to create more three-day weekends. But many Americans wanted to preserve the historical connection to November 11, and Congress eventually agreed. The holiday returned to its original date in 1978.
Who Does Veterans Day Honor?
Veterans Day honors Americans who served honorably in the armed forces, whether they experienced combat or served during peacetime.
Military veterans have served in many different capacities, from soldiers and pilots to sailors, mechanics, medical personnel, and communications specialists. Some experienced combat overseas, while others performed important duties during peacetime or supported military operations closer to home.
Veterans Day is also sometimes confused with Memorial Day. Although both holidays recognize military service and sacrifice, they have different purposes. Memorial Day specifically honors Americans who died while serving their country. Veterans Day honors all who served honorably, living and deceased, with particular emphasis on thanking veterans who are still with us.
Veterans Day also grew out of an agreement that brought terrible fighting to an end. From its earliest observances, it has been an occasion not only to recognize military service and sacrifice but also to reflect on the importance of peace.
A Tradition That Connects Past and Present
One of the nation’s most recognizable Veterans Day traditions takes place at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
On November 11, 1921, exactly three years after the armistice, an unidentified American soldier killed during World War I was buried at Arlington. President Warren G. Harding attended the ceremony, and Americans across the country observed two minutes of silence.
Nobody knew the soldier’s name, but his burial gave the country a way to honor those who had died in military service without ever being identified. Unknown service members from World War II and the Korean War were later buried at the memorial in 1958.
Today, the Tomb remains central to the national Veterans Day observance. Each November 11, a wreath-laying ceremony takes place there, followed by a larger ceremony recognizing America’s veterans.
Five Ways to Help Your Kids Understand Veterans Day
Whether your family knows someone who served in the military or simply wants to learn more about the holiday, there are several ways to help your children connect Veterans Day with the people it honors.
- Start With the Date
Ask your children why Veterans Day falls on November 11. Explain the significance of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, and find the Western Front on a map.
- Talk to a Veteran
If your family knows someone who served in the military, consider asking whether they’d be willing to share something about their experience. Your children might ask which branch they served in, what their responsibilities were, or what they remember about military life. Let the veteran decide which experiences they’re comfortable discussing.
- Explore Different Types of Military Service
Ask your children what they imagine when they think of someone serving in the military. Then introduce some of the many roles service members perform, from operating ships and aircraft to providing medical care and maintaining equipment.
- Attend a Veterans Day Ceremony
Many communities hold parades, memorial services, and other events on November 11. Families can attend a local gathering or watch the national ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and learn about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
- Explore a Veteran’s Firsthand Account
The Library of Congress Veterans History Project preserves interviews, letters, photographs, and other firsthand accounts of military service. Explore the collection with your children and choose a veteran’s story to learn about together. You might discover what everyday life was like for service members during different periods of American history.
Explore the History of America’s Veterans With The Kids Guide
If your children are curious about the men and women who have served our country, The Kids Guide to America’s Veterans offers an opportunity to learn more about the people and experiences behind America’s military history.
Families can also explore The Kids Guide to America’s Mighty Military, which introduces young readers to the different branches of the armed forces and the responsibilities of those serving in them.
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