MAIN Holidays Veterans Day & Remembrance Day

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 the armistice ending fighting in WWI, the war to end all wars, was signed. While the peace did not last, the date gained recognition throughout the western world.

Originally, the date was marked as Armistice Day, but when the losses mounted in the many wars that followed, the name was changed to allow all soldiers from all wars to be honored.

In Canada, as in the UK, November 11th is called Remembrance Day - in the U.S. It's Veterans Day.

In every country, the day is usually marked with parades, ceremonies, speeches - and a moment of silence - to honor those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their countries in the two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, the Falklands, Lebanon, Desert Storm, Afghanistan ... and now Iraq.

Dignitaries gather to place wreaths on the tombs of unknown soldiers who rest in anonymous honor, as a symbol of all who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The Flanders Fields poppy, symbolic of the bloodshed, is today a universal symbol sported on caps and lapels to honor war veterans everywhere, with wreaths of the bright red flowers decorating war memorials and in gardens of remembrance around the world...

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields...

More about Veterans Day and Remembrance Day around the Web:

In Flanders Fields - Excellent, interactive online exhibit from the Flanders Fields Museum in Belgium with a "you-are-there" atmosphere describing what it was like behind the lines and in the trenches during World War I including a virtual tour, historical timeline and related links.

Veterans Day - From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with a Washington D.C. schedule of events, classroom activities, downloadable posters and wallpaper, a related FAQ and complete Veterans Day Teacher Guide in PDF format.

Today in History: November 11 - A rich collection of World War I history resources from the U.S. Library of Congress including interviews and personal recollections, sound files of famous speeches and songs, recruitment posters, photographs and illustrations.

The Vietnam Memorial Wall Page - A virtual visit including photos, a tribute to women who served, Medal of Honor winners, FAQ and related resources.

Remembrance Day - Australia's official site, chronicling the day's origins with e-chapters on history and traditions, as well as information on current national, state and local ceremonies, an extensive list of online educational resources including activities and worksheets, related audio downloads, links, FAQ.

BBC - Religion and Ethics - Remembrance - Touching, first-rate presentation featuring an interactive memorial, an archive of audio and video footage, related poetry and art, teacher resources and worksheets, and an answer to the question, Why the Poppy?

Soldiers Songs - Great resource for information on popular songs that originated from World War I, II, and the Vietnam War with background histories, audio samples, ordering info.

also see -> Veterans Benefits | Veterans Disability | Pearl Harbor Day

also see related feature -> The Christmas Truce of 1914