Veterans Day Veterans Day is a day of remembrance, a day to honor the men and women who have fought to preserve our freedom.

History of Veterans Day World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France.

The Army

However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, an agreement made by opposing sides in a war to stop fighting for a certain time; a truce, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

Marine Corps

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of 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…"

Navy

NOVEMBER 11, Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Air Force

Conflicts in the last 73 years 1941-1945 World War II 1950-1953            Korean War 1953-1975 Second Indochina War First Gulf of Sidra incident Invasion of Grenada 1989-1990 Invasion of Panama 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War 1993-1995 Bosnian War 1994-1995 Operation Uphold Democracy 1998-1999 Kosovo War 2001-present War of Afghanistan 2003-2011 Iraq War 2011 Military intervention in Libya Men and women who served in these conflicts are the people we need to thank for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Coast Guard

Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_the_United_States http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp?utm_source=WallBuilders+Mailings&utm_campaign=33c9d9b514-Veterans_Day_201111_7_2011&utm_medium=email

NSS-C.5-8.3 Principles of Democracy NSS-C.5-8.4 Other Nations and World Affairs NSS-C.5-8.5 Roles of the Citizen