President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11, 1919, as Armistice Day to celebrate the ending of the Great War (World War I) a year earlier at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
“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 nations,” declared Wilson.
For the past 55 years, Armistice Day has been known as Veterans Day to commemorate the heroism of our soldiers and dedicate a day to the cause of world peace.
As you celebrate this Veterans Day, we encourage your homeschool family to reflect on the words of a poem by Cheryl Dyson.
Veterans Day by Cheryl Dyson
On Veterans Day we honor all
Who answered to a service call.
Soldiers young and soldiers old
Fought for freedom, brave and bold.
Some have lived, while others died,
And all of them deserve our pride.
We’re proud of all the soldiers who
Kept thinking of red, white, and blue.
They fought for us and all our rights.
They fought through many days and nights.
And though we may not know each name,
We thank all veterans just the same.
