Veterans' Day
In honor of Veteran's Day 2005, the Adventure of the American Mind staff at Eastern Illinois University has gathered a wide collection of activities and resources for use by educators. Choose from any of the resources listed in the menu at right.
A Brief History of Veterans' Day
When World War I, termed 'The Great War' in its day, officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919. The fighting, however, had ended seven months earlier due to an armistice (temporary end to hostilities). The armistice was agreed upon on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, giving us November 11, 1918. This day was regarded as the end of the 'war to end all wars.'
In November of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a resolution on June 4, 1926, stating:
"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 (the House of Representatives concurring), 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 in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples."
An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made November 11 in each year a legal holiday. The day was to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.' While Armistice Day was set aside to honor the veterans of World War I, after World War II required the greatest mobilization of armed forces in American history, after the Korean War, the 83rd Congress amended the Act of 1938 by dropping the term 'Armistice' and inserting the term 'Veterans.' When this legislation (Public Law 380) was approved on June 1, 1954, November 11 became the day to remember and honor all veterans from all wars.
