Teacher Guide
To Veterans Day
The United States has been in many major world conflicts in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. In 1914 the United States joined Britain, France, and Russia in World War I against the triple alliance of Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary. Just over 116,000 casualties were seen by the U.S. Since the Civil War, this was the United States highest number of war-borne casualties.
In 1918, at the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, fighting ceased in World War I. Formerly known as Armistice Day, Veterans Day (November 11) is a day to honor veterans living and dead who have given so much to protect our country. With our armed forces fighting enemies overseas and at home, Veterans Day is even more significant.
IN 1921, Congress officially declared Armistice Day a Federally recognized holiday. Most states soon begin to recognize the holiday. On May 13, 1938 Congress makes November 11 a legal Federal Holiday (Armistice Day). The United States has no national holidays. States are allowed to decide on their own recognized holidays.
To clarify the meaning behind Armistice Day, President Eisenhower administration works to have the name changed to Veterans Day. In 1968, Congress passed legislation that formally assigned the fourth Monday of October to be recognized as Veteran's Day . Based on popular consensus, Veteran's Day was moved to November 11th.