World War I (The First World War, The Great War )

For four long and terrible years, from 1914 to 1918, the Entente Powers– France, Russia, Great Britain, and Italy, joined in 1917 by the United States–, had been fighting the Central Powers– Germany, Austria, Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire– in the conflict we know as World War I.

Finally at 5 AM on Monday, November 11, 1918 in a railroad carriage at Compiègne, France, an armistice was signed. At 11 a.m. – the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month — a ceasefire came into effect. Opposing armies on the Western Front lay down their weapons and began to withdraw from their positions. The "war to end all wars" was over. All over the world people rejoiced!

.............Armistice Day...............

A year later in November of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson issued an Armistice Day proclamation, remembering the men and women who had fought in the Great War.
It was not until 1938, however, that Congress passed a bill saying that each November 11 "shall be dedicated to the cause of world peace and ...hereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day." 

For the next sixteen years the United States formally observed Armistice Day, with ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the President placed a wreath. (In 1921, the United States Congress had approved the burial of an unidentified American soldier from World War I in this special memorial at Arlington National Cemetery dedicated to the American servicemen who have died without their remains being identified.)

..........Veterans Day............

After World War II ended in 1945, there were many new veterans who had not fought in World War I. 
Leaders of Veterans' groups decided to try to make November 11 the time to honor all servicemen who had fought in all American wars, not just in World War I.

The name was changed to Veterans Day by Act of Congress on May 24, 1954.  In October of that year, President Eisenhower called on all citizens to observe the day by remembering the sacrifices of all those who fought so gallantly to preserve our freedom.

Today on Veterans Day we honor ALL United States veterans, the men and women who served in the US Armed Forces during all its wars and in times of peace as well.

"In Flanders Fields"
is one of the most famous poems about World War I.

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian doctor, wrote it on May 3, 1915, after he witnessed the death of his friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, the day before.
The poem was first published on December 7, 1915 in Punch magazine.

The poppies referred to in the poem grew all over the fields in Flanders (Belgium) where many men killed in World War I had been buried. They became a symbol of Remembrance Day**. The poem is part of Remembrance Day ceremonies in many Allied countries which contributed troops to WWI.

In Flanders Fields by Colonel John McCrae In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below 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. Take up our quarrel with the foe To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

**Remembrance Day (Australia, Canada, United Kingdom), also known as Poppy Day (Malta and South Africa), Veterans Day (United States), and Armistice Day (France, New Zealand, and many other Commonwealth countries; and the original name of the day internationally) is a day to commemorate the sacrifice of veterans and civilians in World War I, World War II, and other wars. It is observed on 11 November to recall the end of World War I on that date in 1918.

Page created 11/3/07 for Bowdoin Central School

With thanks to Wikipedia, and the sites below

More Information at:

VA Kids, K-5th

Infoplease Veterans Day
Short historical background of Veterans' Day, an overview of the wars in which the United States has taken part, and related links.

EnchantedLearning.com
Veteran's Day Crafts, Projects, and Printouts

Veterans' Day (Miami-Dade County Public Schools)

Sheryl's Holiday Site: Veterans Day, Remembrance Day, Armistice Day

Wikipedia: Veterans Day

Blackwell's Best: Veterans Day & Memorial Day
Excellent list of links