Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, officially received its name in America in 1926 through a congressional resolution. In 1917, Pres. Woodrow Wilson proclaimed that the World War I would be the 鈥淲ar to End All Wars.鈥 At 11:00 a.m. on November 11, 1918, World War I came to an end with the signing of the cease-fire agreement at Rethondes, France. One year later, November 11 was set aside as Armistice Day in the United States to remember the sacrifices made by men and women during the war. Veterans鈥 parades and political speeches throughout the country emphasized the peaceful nature of the day, echoing the theme of national unity against tyranny. Despite its origins in World War I, each generation of veterans has embraced Veterans Day as a moment for collective reflection. (from Budreau, L. M. (2006). Veterans Day. In P. Karsten, Sage Publications. Credo Reference
The of the American Folklife Center collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. Check out the research guides on many topics including