navigation bar U.S. Diplomatic Mission to GermanyAbout the USASitemapSearchDeutsch
 
 
Background
· American Legion
· Arlington National Cemetary
· Celebrate! Holidays in the USA: Veterans Day
  · Gun Salutes
· NYT > Articles about Veterans Day
· The Origins of Veterans Day
· Outline of American History
· Portrait of America: National Celebrations
· The Story of Taps
· Today in History: Veterans Day
· U.S. Armed Forces and Veterans
· U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
  · Veterans Day
· Veterans Day
· Veterans Day
  · Veterans Day Homepage
· Veterans Day Resources
· White House > Issues > Veterans


Statistics

· Facts for Features: Veterans Day 2009 
· Veteran Data and Information
 


Photo courtesy of the Defense Visual Information Center

Originally called Armistice Day, this holiday was established to honor Americans who had served in World War I. It falls on November 11, the day when that war ended in 1918, but it now honors veterans of all wars in which the United States has fought.

Veterans' organizations hold parades or other special ceremonies, and the president customarily places a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

See also:
About the USA > U.S. History > War, Prosperity and the Big Crash (1900s to 1929)

 
Feature Article:

Veterans Day Honor Those Who Have Served in U.S. Military
Veterans Day originated in the Armistice Day holiday commemorating the November 11, 1918, armistice at 11 a.m. (hence "the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month"), which suspended active hostilities and effectively ended the First World War.
President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919, the first Armistice Day with the following words: "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 and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations …." (America.gov, November 10, 2009)

Veterans’ Wartime Memories Find Home in Library of Congress
Veterans History Project preserves accounts for future generations and scholars (America.gov, June 27, 20008)

 

Exhibits, Memorials - Digital Images
· American Battle Monuments Commission
· Arlington National Cemetery Official Web Site
· From the Home Front and the Front Lines
·
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
· Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Page
· The Virtual Wall

  Multimedia
· Veterans History Project


Link Lists

· Google > Holidays> Veterans Day
· Veterans Day
· Yahoo! Holidays and Observances: Veterans Day
Texts are abridged from U.S. State Department IIP publications and other U.S. government materials.
 
DISCLAIMER
Any reference obtained from this server to a specific commercial product, process, or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the United States Government of the product, process, or service, or its producer or provider. The views and opinions expressed in any referenced document do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government.
US Embassy
U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Germany
/Public Affairs/ Information Resource Centers 
Updated: September 2010