Veterans Day: what it means

The story of Veterans Day

World War I fighting ended with an armistice — an agreement to stop fighting — that took effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month: 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918. People called it the end of "the war to end all wars."

A year later, in 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day to remember the people who served. In 1938, Congress made November 11 a legal holiday.

After World War II and the Korean War, millions more Americans had served. In 1954, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day so the day would honor veterans of every war, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into law.

For a few years in the 1970s the holiday moved to a Monday in October, but many people felt the date itself mattered. Since 1978 it has been observed on November 11 again, whatever day of the week it falls on.

Around the world

November 11 is also Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and other Commonwealth countries. Many people wear a red poppy — poppies grew on the World War I battlefields of Flanders and became a symbol of remembrance after a well-known 1915 poem, "In Flanders Fields," by Canadian doctor John McCrae. Many also pause for two minutes of silence at 11 a.m.

Simple ways to honor a veteran

• Send a card or letter to a nursing home "To a Veteran Resident." Print a ready-made letter.
• Say "thank you for your service" — and then listen, if they'd like to talk.
• Ask a veteran in your family to share a story or a photo, if they're comfortable.
• Fly a flag, attend a local parade, or join a moment of silence at 11 a.m.

Printable activities

Large print and black-and-white friendly — for classrooms, families and activity groups. Each prints on one page.

For activity directors: a Veterans Day social

1. Before the day: ask families and staff which residents served, and how each would like to be recognized. Some love being honored in front of everyone; others would rather not.
2. Set the room: flags, a "Thank You" banner, and music from the era — big band, patriotic songs or the service songs.
3. Honor them: invite veterans to stand or raise a hand as their branch's song plays, or read each name aloud. Hand out the cards you've received.
4. Do something together: the word search, the coloring page, or writing back to the people who sent cards with our large-print resident sheet.
5. Talk, gently: use a few prompts below in a small group.

Conversation prompts

• What was it like to be young in the year you joined?
• Where did you travel or live during your service?
• What did you do for fun with your friends back then?
• What music did you listen to?
• What food did you miss most from home?
• Who wrote letters to you? What did you love getting in the mail?
• What is something you learned that stayed with you all your life?

For teachers & parents: a 30-minute activity

1. Read (5 min): share "The story of Veterans Day" above. Ask: "What's the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?"
2. Play (10 min): do the crossword (older kids), word search, or coloring page — or color a “Thank You” poster for the classroom door.
3. Write (10 min): write a thank-you letter using our ready-made letters — younger children can sign the "From a child or class" version and add a drawing.
4. Mail (5 min): address one big envelope to a nearby nursing home "To the Veteran Residents, Attn: Activities Department." See how.

Children take part through a teacher's or parent's account — please use first names only in letters.