- Read about
the history of Veterans Day and carefully answer the questions
at the bottom of this page. (Click on the underlined
words for their meanings)
In 1918, on the eleventh hour of the
eleventh day in the eleventh month, the world rejoiced and celebrated.
After four years of bitter war, an armistice was signed.
World War I, the "war
to end all wars," was over.
November 11, 1919, was set aside as
Armistice Day in the United States, to remember the sacrifices that
men and women made during World War I. On Armistice Day, soldiers who
survived the war marched in
parades through their home towns. Politicians and
veteran officers gave
speeches and held ceremonies of thanks for the peace they had won.
Congress voted Armistice Day a
federal
holiday in 1938, 20 years after the war ended. But Americans realized
that the previous war would not be the last one. World War II began
the following year, and nations great and small, again participated in a
bloody war. After the Second World War, Armistice Day continued
to be observed on November 11.
In 1953, townspeople in Emporia, Kansas
called the holiday Veterans Day in gratitude to the veterans in their
town. Soon after, Congress passed a
bill
introduced by a Kansas
congressman renaming the holiday Veterans Day. In 1971,
President Nixon declared it a federal holiday on the second Monday in
November.
Americans still give thanks for peace on
Veterans Day. There are ceremonies and speeches and at 11:00 in the
morning, most Americans observe a moment of silence, remembering those
who fought for peace.
Veterans of military service have
organized groups such as the American Legion and Veterans of
Foreign Wars. On Veterans Day and Memorial Day, these groups raise
funds by selling paper
poppies made by
disabled veterans. This bright red wildflower became a symbol of World
War I after a bloody battle in a field of poppies called Flanders
Field in Belgium.
After the United States involvement in
the Vietnam War, Veterans Day has changed. There
are fewer military parades and ceremonies. Veterans gather at the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., to place gifts and stand
quiet vigil at the names of their friends and relatives who
died in
the Vietnam War. Families who have lost sons and daughters in wars
turn their thoughts more toward peace and the
avoidance of future
wars.
Answer the following questions in complete
sentences on a separate sheet of paper. Don't forget to use the
edit/find button to find key words.
1. What war ended on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of
the eleventh month?
2. What is an armistice?
3. In what year did Congress vote to make
Armistice Day a federal holiday?
4. What state first started calling Armistice Day
Veterans Day?
5. What president declared Veterans Day a
federal holiday on the second Monday in November?
6. Where is Belgium located?
7. After what war did Veterans Day change?