Veterans Day: A Day of Recognition & Remembrance
On June 28, 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed in the Palace of Versailles and the first World War officially ended. However, seven months earlier an armistice went into effect and ceased fire between the Allied nations and Germany. To commemorate November 11th in history and celebrate the brave soldiers who fought in WWI, President Woodrow Wilson made Armistice Day a legal holiday. Overtime Armistice Day began being used to recognize and celebrate all veterans, and it officially became known as Veterans Day in 1954. Many people often confuse Memorial Day, celebrated in May, with Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a holiday used to remember those who served in the armed forces and lost their lives during the war or from war inflicted injuries. Veterans Day is a time to celebrate everyone who has ever served in the country during both war and peace times throughout history.
On November 11th, many students, workers, and many military members have the day off to assist in the observance of the holiday. On August 1, 2001, the US Senate passed a resolution making the week of November 11th “National Veterans Awareness Week” to encourage educational initiatives in schools to teach students around the country about the sacrifice of veterans. Many schools around the country hold assemblies, parades, presentations, and other activities during this week to help students learn about their nation’s history and those who have served in the armed forces. When I was in elementary school, we would spend a lot of this week in November writing letters to soldiers and going to recognition assemblies where students were able to ask veterans questions about their previous position.
In addition to local observances happening in schools throughout the US, there are typically other larger events around the country and beyond. In 2017, Sergeant Shilo Harris, a U.S. Veteran who was injured in an IED attack in Iraq, visited America House to share his story and motivate young people worldwide.
In the states for the past 16 years, New York City holds the America Parade on Veterans Day that involves almost 20,000 people and 250 groups celebrating the sacrifice of veterans. Houston, Texas also holds a large parade on veterans day while also using the event as an opportunity for community veterans to receive career counseling and medical services to improve their quality of life. In the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. holds several different types of events every year including wreath-layings, memorial services, and museum exhibits. No matter where in the country you are located on November 11th, there is likely to be an event making sure veterans receive recognition, and people are educated about the armed forces and their role in America’s democracy.
Photos: The U.S. Army Flickr
Another traditional way people try and remember veterans on this holiday is through the wearing of a red flower or red poppy. Many communities sell red flowers or poppy pins as a fundraiser for their local veterans center. The poppy became a symbol on Veterans Day when after WWI a flower display of poppies was placed in the Tower of London representing each fallen soldier. Today, these flowers continue to represent their sacrifice and are displayed proudly on Veterans Day.
While November 11th marks America’s Veterans Day celebration, many other countries worldwide have their own holidays and celebrations that recognize their nation’s service members. On April 25th, Australia and New Zealand celebrate their veterans on ANZAC Day. France and Belgium also celebrate their Armistice Day on November 11th. The U.K. designates two days to their nation’s veterans, celebrating Armistice Day on November 11th and Remembrance Day on the second Sunday of November. Yom Hazikaron in Israel, Armed Forces Day in Poland, and Victory Day in Ukraine are all holidays that recognize veterans.
Vocabulary List:
Treaty (n.): An agreement between countries
Armistice (n.): A temporary pause of warfare
Commemorate (v.): to celebrate by doing something
Observance (n.): an act performed for ceremonial or traditional reasons
Assemblies (n.): A group of people gathered for a common purpose like a presentation
Exhibits (n.): a display in a museum or gallery
Poppy (n.): a type of flower
Fundraiser (n.): an event to raise money for a cause
Hailey Womer is a third-year student at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York pursuing a dual major in Public Relations and Political Science. With interests in communications, public diplomacy, and politics & government, she hopes to use communication to grow the passions of the public and advocate for others. In her free time, you can find her editing social media content, engrossed in the fashion trends of the season, catching up on the latest political buzz, or on a philanthropic mission to make the world just a little bit brighter!