Discussion Questions

Aired November 11, 2003

Deanna Morawski explores the origins of Veterans Day and the American traditions that commemorate veterans' service.

1. In what year did World War I end? How long did the war last? What is an armistice? What did the original Armistice Day commemorate? When did Armistice Day become a federal holiday? When did its name change to Veterans Day? What is the significance of the number 11 as it relates to Veterans Day?

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2. What is a veteran? What or whom does Veterans Day commemorate? What traditional American service is held each year on Veterans Day? What is the significance of Arlington National Cemetery? What is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? What are the European roots of this tradition?

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3. What does Veterans Day mean to you? What activities are taking place in your school or community? Do you think that Americans and/or the American government should 'reward' veterans for their service? If so, what programs do you think should be available to veterans during and/or after their service in the armed forces?

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Related Sites

CNN.com: Democrats use Veterans Day to assail Bush record on military benefits (http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/11/10/elec04.dems.vets.ap/index.html)

Veterans Day (http://www.appc1.va.gov/vetsday/)

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. (http://www.vfw.org)

Info Please: Veterans Day Statistics (http://www.infoplease.com/spot/veteransday1.html)

Department of Veterans Affairs (http://www.va.gov/)

Holt, Rinehart and Winston: Oral History Interviews (http://go.hrw.com/resources/go_ss/teacher99/toolkit/TOOLKT15.pdf)

Keywords

World War I, Armistice Day, truce, Veterans Day, Arlington National Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Westminster Abbey, Arc de Triomphe, taps