Why did Veterans Day start?

Why did Veterans Day start? By Department of Veterans Affairs, adapted by Newsela staff on 11.10.16 Word Count 817 Members of the U.S. Navy march with the American flag in the the nation's largest Veterans Day Parade in New York City, November 11, 2015. Known as "America's Parade," it features more than 20,000 participants, including veterans of military units, high school bands and civic and youth groups. Photo: Photo: Getty Images. History Of Veterans Day Called "The Great War" at the time, World War I officially ended with the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919. The treaty was signed in the Palace of Versailles, just outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting had ended seven months earlier, when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect. It was the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of the war to end all wars. In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. He said, "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country s service." President Wilson said the armistice should be celebrated because it gave the U.S. victory in the war. It also let America "show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations." This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 1

Veterans Day was originally conceived as a day of parades and public events. Also, beginning at 11 a.m., all business would stop for a short while. On June 4, 1926, Congress officially recognized Veterans Day, passing a resolution that stated: Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate, that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day. A law was passed on May 13, 1938, making November 11 a legal holiday. Called Armistice Day, the day was to be dedicated to world peace. Armistice Day primarily honored veterans of World War I. In 1941, the United States entered World War II, which led to the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the nation s history. In 1950, American forces fought in the Korean War. At the urging of veterans service organizations, in 1954, Congress amended the 1938 law. It struck out the word "Armistice" and inserted the word "Veterans," and November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. What Is The Difference Between Veterans Day And Memorial Day? Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or from war wounds. Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service. It shows This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 2

them that their contributions to our national security are appreciated. It also emphasizes that all those who served not only those who died have sacrificed and done their duty. Is Veterans Day Celebrated In Other Countries? Yes, a number of countries honor their veterans each year on November 11th. The name and types of commemorations differ somewhat from Veterans Day in the U.S. For example, Canada and Australia observe "Remembrance Day" on November 11th, and Great Britain observes Remembrance Day on the Sunday nearest to November 11th. Canada's Remembrance Day is actually quite similar to the U.S. celebration. The day is intended to honor all who served in Canada's Armed Forces. However, unlike in the U.S., many Canadians wear red poppy flowers on November 11th in honor of their war dead. The tradition began with the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields," written by Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian surgeon. The poem expressed his grief at seeing the graves of soldiers who had died on Flanders' battlefields. He contrasted the bright red flowers blooming amid the rows of white crosses that marked the graves. Americans traditionally wear poppies in honor of the war dead on Memorial Day, not Veterans Day. In Australia, Remembrance Day is very much like America's Memorial Day. In Great Britain, the day is commemorated by church services and parades of ex-service members. Wreaths of poppies are left at the Cenotaph, a war memorial in London. At the Cenotaph and elsewhere in the country, two minutes of silence is observed at 11 a.m., to honor those who lost their lives in wars. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 3

Quiz 1 Which of the following BEST represents the approach of Congress to declaring Armistice Day in 1926? It declared that the day was intended to help bring about the end of the worst war in all of human history. It declared that veterans of any future wars would also be honored by the official legal holiday. It declared that the entire country should take a day to give thanks and prayer in memory of a terrible war. It declared that all states that were not already raising flags on all buildings on November 11 must do so. 2 Which of the following selections shows that Armistice Day was originally intended to be more like Memorial Day than Veterans Day? He said, "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country s service." President Wilson said the armistice should be celebrated because it gave the U.S. victory in the war. It also let America "show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations." Veterans Day was originally conceived as a day of parades and public events. Also, beginning at 11 a.m., all business would stop for a short while. 3 Which idea is BEST supported by the section "Is Veterans Day Celebrated In Other Countries?" Canada and the United States celebrate their veterans at different times of year than Great Britain and Australia. Canada and the United States are the only countries to take inspiration from a famous poem for veterans celebrations. Though many countries honor their veterans on or near November 11, only America honors its living veterans. Though many countries honor their veterans on or near November 11, they all do so in slightly different ways. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 4

4 Which of the following options would BEST describe John McCrae's motivation for writing his poem? He wanted to motivate more people to celebrate Veterans Day. He wanted to share his sadness about the many soldiers who had died. He hoped to begin selling more red poppy flowers to mark graves. He hoped to convince Canada to declare a Veterans Day similar to America's. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 5

Answer Key 1 Which of the following BEST represents the approach of Congress to declaring Armistice Day in 1926? It declared that the day was intended to help bring about the end of the worst war in all of human history. It declared that veterans of any future wars would also be honored by the official legal holiday. It declared that the entire country should take a day to give thanks and prayer in memory of a terrible war. It declared that all states that were not already raising flags on all buildings on November 11 must do so. 2 Which of the following selections shows that Armistice Day was originally intended to be more like Memorial Day than Veterans Day? He said, "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country s service." President Wilson said the armistice should be celebrated because it gave the U.S. victory in the war. It also let America "show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations." Veterans Day was originally conceived as a day of parades and public events. Also, beginning at 11 a.m., all business would stop for a short while. 3 Which idea is BEST supported by the section "Is Veterans Day Celebrated In Other Countries?" Canada and the United States celebrate their veterans at different times of year than Great Britain and Australia. Canada and the United States are the only countries to take inspiration from a famous poem for veterans celebrations. Though many countries honor their veterans on or near November 11, only America honors its living veterans. Though many countries honor their veterans on or near November 11, they all do so in slightly different ways. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 6

4 Which of the following options would BEST describe John McCrae's motivation for writing his poem? He wanted to motivate more people to celebrate Veterans Day. He wanted to share his sadness about the many soldiers who had died. He hoped to begin selling more red poppy flowers to mark graves. He hoped to convince Canada to declare a Veterans Day similar to America's. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 7