What Is Veterans Day?
Quick Answer
Veterans Day is a U.S. holiday on November 11 that honors all the men and women who have served in the military to protect the country. It is a day to say thank you to soldiers, sailors, pilots, and other service members for their bravery and sacrifice.
Explaining By Age Group
Ages 3-5 Simple Explanation
You know how some grown-ups wear special uniforms and go far away from their families to keep people safe? Those people are called veterans, and Veterans Day is a special day when we say thank you to them for being so brave.
Veterans are people who worked in the military, which means they were soldiers, sailors, or pilots who helped protect our country. Some of them had to go to faraway places and be away from their kids and families for a long time. That is a really hard thing to do.
On Veterans Day, which happens every November, people show they care about veterans in lots of ways. Some schools have special programs where veterans come and talk to kids. People wave flags, sing songs, and say thank you to anyone who served in the military.
If you know someone who is a veteran, like a grandparent, a neighbor, or a family friend, Veterans Day is a perfect time to tell them thank you. You could draw them a picture, give them a hug, or just tell them you are glad they helped keep people safe!
Ages 6-8 More Detail
Veterans Day is a holiday celebrated every year on November 11 in the United States. It is a day to honor and thank everyone who has served in the U.S. military, whether during a war or during peacetime. A veteran is anyone who has worn a military uniform and served their country.
The date November 11 is special because it marks the end of World War I, one of the biggest wars in history. On November 11, 1918, the fighting stopped at 11 o'clock in the morning. The holiday was first called Armistice Day, which means the day the fighting ended. Later, it was changed to Veterans Day to honor all veterans, not just those from World War I.
Veterans serve in different parts of the military. The Army fights on land, the Navy works on the seas, the Air Force protects the skies, the Marines are a special fighting force, and the Coast Guard keeps our coasts safe. Each branch has its own important job, and Veterans Day honors all of them.
On Veterans Day, there are parades in many towns and cities. Schools often hold programs where veterans are invited to share their stories. People visit memorials and lay wreaths to remember those who served. Many people also wear red poppies, a small flower that became a symbol of remembering soldiers after World War I.
Veterans Day is different from Memorial Day. Memorial Day, which happens in May, honors soldiers who died while serving. Veterans Day honors all soldiers, both living and those who have passed away. Both holidays are about being thankful, but Veterans Day is a chance to thank living veterans face to face.
Ages 9-12 Full Explanation
Veterans Day is a federal holiday observed on November 11 each year in the United States. It honors all Americans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, regardless of whether they served during wartime or peacetime. Unlike Memorial Day, which specifically remembers those who died in service, Veterans Day is about recognizing every person who wore the uniform and served their country.
The holiday traces its origins to the end of World War I. On November 11, 1918, at 11:00 a.m., an armistice (a formal agreement to stop fighting) took effect, ending one of the deadliest wars the world had ever seen. The following year, President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11 as Armistice Day. In 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day to honor veterans of all wars and all service.
The United States military has several branches, each with a different role: the Army (land operations), Navy (sea operations), Air Force (air and space), Marine Corps (rapid-response combat), Coast Guard (coastal defense and rescue), and Space Force (space operations established in 2019). Veterans Day honors the millions of Americans who have served across all these branches throughout the nation's history.
Veterans Day is marked by ceremonies at war memorials across the country, the most well-known being the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C. Schools hold assemblies, communities organize parades, and many businesses offer discounts or free meals to veterans as a way of saying thanks. The red poppy flower, inspired by the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields," is worn as a symbol of remembrance.
Serving in the military involves real sacrifice. Service members spend long stretches away from their families, move to new places often, and sometimes face dangerous situations. Many veterans return home with lasting effects from their service, both physical and emotional. Veterans Day is a reminder that the freedoms people enjoy every day are protected by real people who chose to serve, and that those people deserve our gratitude and support not just on November 11 but every day of the year.
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Tips for Parents
Veterans day can be a challenging topic to discuss with your child. Here are some practical tips to help guide the conversation:
DO: Follow your child's lead. Let them ask questions at their own pace rather than overwhelming them with information they haven't asked for yet. If they seem satisfied with a simple answer, that's okay — they'll come back with more questions when they're ready.
DO: Use honest, age-appropriate language. You don't need to share every detail, but avoid making up stories or deflecting. Kids can sense when you're being evasive, and honesty builds trust.
DO: Validate their feelings. Whatever emotion your child has in response to learning about veterans day, acknowledge it. Say things like 'It makes sense that you'd feel that way' or 'That's a really good question.'
DON'T: Don't dismiss their curiosity. Responses like 'You're too young for that' or 'Don't worry about it' can make children feel like their questions are wrong or shameful. If you're not ready to answer, say 'That's an important question. Let me think about the best way to explain it, and we'll talk about it tonight.'
DO: Create an ongoing dialogue. One conversation usually isn't enough. Let your child know that they can always come back to you with more questions about veterans day. This makes them more likely to come to you rather than seeking potentially unreliable sources.
Common Follow-Up Questions Kids Ask
After discussing veterans day, your child might also ask:
What is the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?
Veterans Day on November 11 honors all people who have served in the military, living or deceased. Memorial Day in May specifically honors those who died while serving. Both are about gratitude, but they recognize different groups.
Why is Veterans Day on November 11?
November 11 marks the end of World War I in 1918. The fighting stopped on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. The date was chosen to remember that moment of peace.
Why do people wear red poppies on Veterans Day?
Red poppies became a symbol of remembrance after World War I because of the poem 'In Flanders Fields,' which described poppies growing on battlefields. Wearing a poppy is a way to honor those who served.
What is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a monument in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C. It contains the remains of unidentified soldiers and is guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A special wreath-laying ceremony is held there on Veterans Day.
How can kids honor veterans?
Kids can write thank-you cards to veterans, attend Veterans Day events, learn about military history, or simply say thank you to a veteran they know. Many schools also collect items for care packages sent to active service members.
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