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IN 1918, AT ELEVEN A.M., on the elevnot be the last one. World War II began the following
enth day of the eleventh month, the world reyear, and nations great and small again participated injoiced and celebrated. After four years of bittera long and terrible struggle. After the Second Worldwar, the Armistice between the Allies and Germans
War, Armistice Day continued to be observed. Butwas signed. World War I, called the “war to end all
many veterans of World War II, and later the Koreanwars,” was over.
War, had little connection to the First World War, andNovember 11 was set aside asoften felt that Armistice Day was
Armistice Day in the United States,
not significant for them. They wantto remember the sacrifices that men
ed to make a change in the holiday
and women made during the war into include veterans of other Ameriorder to ensure a lasting peace. On
can wars, not only World War I.
Armistice Day, soldiers who surIn 1953, townspeople in Emvived the war marched in parades
poria, Kansas, celebrated the holithrough their hometowns. Politicians
day as “Veterans Day” in gratitudeand veteran officers gave speeches
to the veterans in their town. Soonand held ceremonies of thanks forafter, Congress passed a bill to rethe peace they had won.
name the day, and in 1954 PresiPresident Woodrow Wilson, in
dent Eisenhower officially changed
his Armistice Day proclamation in
the name of the national holiday toNovember 1919, said:
Veterans Day.
To us in America, the reflecTraditional Veterans Day celetions of Armistice Day willbrations, in many towns and cities,
be filled with solemn pride
may include ceremonies, parades,in the heroism of those who died in the counconcerts and speeches. At 11:00 in the morning, intry’s service and with gratitude for the victory,
some communities, Americans observe a moment of siboth because of the thing from which it haslence, remembering those who have fought in war. The
freed us and because of the opportunity it has
President of the United States lays a wreath at thegiven America to show her sympathy with peace
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National Cemeand justice in the councils oftery in Arlington, Virginia, honorthe nation.
ing all of America’s soldiers whoPREVIOUS PAGE: A soldier pauses while placing flags inCongress voted Armistice Day front of every headstone at Arlington National Cemetery have fallen in war.
a legal holiday in 1938, twenty years in Washington, D.C.
After the United States’ inABOVE: Flowers and notes are left in personal rememafter the war ended. But Americans brance at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washing- volvement in the Vietnam War, therealized that the previous war would ton, D.C.
emphasis on Veterans Day activities

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V E T E R A N S ’ D AYshifted. Now there are fewer military parades and cerAmericans who contributed to the war effort,emonies, and people honor the day in a more introspeccomprised of those who signed up for the Registry oftive and personal way. Veterans and their families gather
Remembrances as well as from other official U.S. govat war memorials such as the Vietnam Veterans Memoriernment lists. The Veterans History Project was created
al in Washington, D.C., where they place gifts and standby the United States Congress and signed into law onin quiet vigil at the names, etched in granite, of their comOctober 2, 2000, by President Clinton. It is a project ofrades, friends, and relatives who died in the war. People
the Library of Congress and it relies on volunteers tooften gather at other national monuments such as thosecollect and preserve stories and accounts of U.S. veterdedicated to World War II and the Korean War, as well as
ans. The focus is primarily on 20th century military
at Arlington National Cemetery where U.S. veterans fromconflicts in which U.S. soldiers played a role: Worldany war may be buried. Throughout the United States,
War I (1914–1920), World War II (1939–1946), Koreanfamilies who have lost sons, daughters, and other family
War (1950–1955), Vietnam War (1961–1975), Persian
members to war, lay flowers and wreaths at local monuGulf War (1990–1995), though it also includes morements and gravesites, as they turn their thoughts toward
recent conflicts. The Project collects oral history interpeace and the avoidance of future wars.
views, memoirs, letters, diaries, photographs, and otherThe trials and hardships of veterans are honored
original materials from veterans of these wars.
and remembered through theSurviving veterans of military
National World War II (WWII)
service—today numbering more
Registry and the Veterans History ABOVE: This memorial of American servicemen raising than 25 million—find support in
the American flag was modeled after a World War II
Project. The WWII Memorial Reg- photo taken by Joe Rosenthal in Iwo Jima on February organized groups such as the Ameristry is an individual listing of 23, 1945.
ican Legion and Veterans of ForV E T E R A N S ’ D AY44

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etch(ed): v. carve on stone or other hard surface
wreath(s): n. an arrangement of flowers or leaves in aring, used for decoration
avoidance: n. act of preventing
trial(s): n. a situation that tests a person’s endurance ortolerance
registry: n. an official list
comprise(d): v. to consist of; to be made up of
memoir(s): n. a written account of one’s memory of certain events
American Legion: phrase. a national association offormer servicemen and servicewomencharitable: adj. relating to assistance to people in needdisabled: adj. a person having a physical or mental condition that limits his or her movement, senses, or activities

eign Wars. On Veterans Day and Memorial Day, thesegroups raise funds for their charitable activities that
support disabled veterans and their families. There arealso organizations for veterans who oppose war, such as
Veterans for Peace, a national organization begun in1985 that works to raise public awareness of the consequences of war and seeks peaceful alternatives to war.
By remembering veterans and all that they wentthrough, perhaps the leaders of nations will strive tofind peaceful solutions to world problems, using war
only as a very last resort.
Glossaryrejoice(d): v. celebrate with joy; to be happy
bitter: adj. difficult to bear; distastefularmistice: n. an agreement to end fighting; a truce
Allies: n. those nations (primarily the British Empire,France, and the Russian Empire) that joined together
in opposition to the Central Powers (Germany, AustriaHungary, and Turkey) during World War I
sacrifice(s): n. giving up of important things
ensure: v. to make certain; to guarantee
parade(s): n. a public procession or display of people,animals, and/or formations moving in a single line
politician(s): n. an elected government official
veteran: n. a member of the armed forces, now retired
or discharged
proclamation: n. an official or public announcement
reflection(s): n. the thought or opinion or remark madeafter consideration of something heard or read or anevent
solemn: adj. serious
heroism: n. conduct having qualities of a herogratitude: n. thankfulness
sympathy: n. association (with); inclination (to)council(s): n. a committee or legal body appointed orchosen to carry out a set of objectives
participate(d): v. to be actively involved instruggle: n. a great effort; a fight; a war
significant: adj. meaningful; important
bill: n. a proposed law in government
observe(d): v. to respect or follow a law or custom
fallen: (adj) killed in battle
shift(ed): v. to change
vigil: n. watchful, solemn guard
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