Veterans Day began as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. It was later changed to Veterans Day by President Eisenhower in 1954 to honor all American veterans of war. The holiday remembers and thanks all those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces during times of both war and peace.

1. Veterans Day

2. A long time ago, when your great grandparents were alive,
there was a Great War. This War was called World War 1 and
was a very terrible time with lots of fighting and many people
died. During that War, on the 11th hour of the 11th month
of 1918, an armistice was called. An armistice is when both
sides decide to stop fighting for a short while. After the War
had ended, American President Woodrow Wilson said that ar-
mistice would always be remembered and that November 11
would be a special day called Armistice Day. This day was
made an official holiday in 1938.
A HISTORY OF VETERANS DAY

3. Many years later, in the year 1954, President Eisenhower de-
cided to changed the name of Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day.
A Veteran is someone is a man or woman who has served in
the Armed Forces. In the United States, we have men and
women who serve in the Army, the Navy, the Marines, Air
Force and the Coast Guard. The holiday of Veterans Day is
different than Armistice Day because it is no longer about the
Armistice of 1918 but instead it is about saying thank you to
all veterans who have served our great country.
A HISTORY OF VETERANS DAY

4. Memorial Day is a day where we remember all those who have
died in War. Veterans Day is a day where we say thank you
to those who have died but also those who are still living. We
also think about those who served in War, but also those who
serve in times of peace.
HOW IS VETERANS DAY DIFFERENT THAN MEMORIAL DAY?

5. Questions

6. 1. What was the Great War called?
__________________________________________________________
2. When was the armistice called?
__________________________________________________________
3. What is an Armistice?
__________________________________________________________
4. Who decided to create Armistice Day?
__________________________________________________________
QUESTIONS

7. 5. When was Armistice day made an official holiday?
__________________________________________________________
6. Who changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day?
__________________________________________________________
7. What is a veteran?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
QUESTIONS

8. 8. What kinds of veterans do we have in the United States?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
9. How is Veterans Day different than Memorial Day?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
QUESTIONS

9. Cut out the events below and glue them in
chronological order.
VETERANS DAY SEQUENCING ACTIVITY
Armistice Day became an
official holiday
President Woodrow Wilson
decided to create Armistice Day
Armistice Day was changed to
Veterans Day
Many soldiers lost their lives in
World War 1.
We celebrate November 11th by thanking
all veterans who served our country.

10. Teacher directions: Have students cut out the words
and place them in their vocabulary books. As a class,
review the words and together come up with a defini-
tion and examples. Students should write these next
to the word in their book. Words can be used in jour-
nal writing and other Veterans day activities
VOCABULARY WORDS

11. VOCABULARY FOR WORD WALL
VETERAN
FLAG
APPRECIATE
FOUGHT
ARMISTICE
DAY
PATRIOT
MEMORIAL
POPPY
HEROES
DEFEND
MONUMENT
HONOR

12. Place the following Veterans Day vocabulary in
alphabetical order.
ALPHABETICAL ORDER
Vocabulary Words Alphabetical Order
Veteran
Memorial
Honor
Monument
Fought
Defend
Casualty
Appreciate
Heroes
Armistice Day
Poppy
Patriot

13. This activity will have you practice changing verbs
from the present tense to the past tense. The verbs
below have been provided to you in the present.
Conjugate the verb to fit the past tense.
Example: I march (present)- I marched (past)
PAST AND PRESENT
MARCH
MARCHED

14. RESPECT APPRECIATE FIGHT
HONOR PRAY DEFEND

15. Synonyms are words that mean the same thing. Look at
the poppies below and write synonyms on their petals.
VETERANS DAY SYNONYMS
DEFEND APPRECIATE

16. VETERANS DAY SYNONYMS
PRIDE HONOR

17. VETERANS DAY SYNONYMS
BRAVE HERO

18. VETERANS DAY SYNONYMS
BRAVE HERO

19. Antonyms are words that mean the opposite. Look at the
poppies below and write antonyms on their petals.
VETERANS DAY ANTONYMS
DEFEND APPRECIATE

20. VETERANS DAY ANTONYMS
FREE BRAVE

21. QUALITIES OF A HERO
Our veterans protect our land and liberties by risking
their lives both in the United States and abroad. The
Armed Forces serve us in both wartime and peacetime.
Our Armed Forces are heroes. What are the qualities of a
hero? Fill out the chart below.

22. MAKE A MEDAL
Follow the directions below to create a medal
of your own.Write your name on the medal
and 1 accomplishment you are proud of.

23. TRUE AND FALSE FACTS ABOUT VETERANS
Below are some facts about veterans and Veterans Day. Cut and
glue the ones that you think are true under the word True and
place the ones you think are false under the word False
There are approximately 23.2 million
military veterans in the United States.
Veterans are only American
Veterans Day has always been
called Veterans Day
All veterans are men
Veterans are friends, parents, grand-
parents, neighbors and co-workers
Britain, France, Australia and Canada
also celebrate veterans on November 11
6 million veterans served in
peacetime
Veterans Day is the same thing as
memorial Day
Only the United States honors
Veterans.
Veterans Day is always observed on
November 11

24. TRUE AND FALSE FACTS ABOUT VETERANS
TRUE FALSE

25. BRANCHES OF THE ARMED FORCES
In the United States, we have many different branches in
the armed forces. Each branch does something different to
protect our nation. Can you tell them apart? Look at the
pictures below and draw a line connecting the veteran to
their correct branch of the Armed Forces
AIR FORCE ARMY COAST GUARD MARINE CORP NAVY

26. THE AIRFORCE
The main job of the US Air Force is to pro-
tect American citizens and territory from
attacks in the air and even in space!!!
Those in the US Air force fly many differ-
ent types of aircrafts, some are used for at-
tacking enemies, while others are meant to
transport and help troops on the ground.
The Air force also uses aircrafts to move
supplies, helping to bring food and aid to
hard to reach areas. Those in the Air Force
fly planes, helicopters and satellites.

27. THE ARMY
The Army was established in 1775, mak-
ing it just as old as the United States!!! On
top of being the oldest, the army is also the
largest branch of the military. The Army is
the ground force of the military. The army
generally moves to an area, secure it and
brings peace and order. It also guards US
properties throughout the world. Soldiers
fight using tanks and other ground vehi-
cles.

28. THE NAVY
While the army serves on land, the Navy
serves on the sea. The Navy works togeth-
er with the Airforce by transporting large
aircraft by boat and also by providing a run-
way for planes to land on the water. They
also protect the oceans around the world,
making it safe to travel and trade.

29. THE MARINES
TheMarinesarethesecondsmallestbranch
of the military. Their name has changed
many times over the years. The marines
used to be part of the Navy but today do a
lot of work on the ground. The Marines are
known as the first “boots on the ground” –
when there is a problem, they are usually
the first to react.

30. THE COAST GUARD
The Coast Guard is the smallest branch of
the military. The Coast Guards job is to
protect the water surrounding the United
States borders. The coast guard is kind of
like the police of the water – they do res-
cues and make sure nothing illegal is hap-
pening.

31. 1. Which branch of the military was established in 1775?
__________________________________________________________
2. Which branch of the military makes sure nothing illegal happens in
the waters around the United States?
__________________________________________________________
3. Which branch of the military is responsible for outer space?
__________________________________________________________
QUESTIONS

32. 4. Which branch of the military is known as the “Boots on the Ground”?
__________________________________________________________
5. Which branch of the military are the police of the water?
__________________________________________________________
6. Which branch of the military is the second smallest?
__________________________________________________________
QUESTIONS

33. 7. Which branch of the military makes sure water is safe for travel and
trade?
__________________________________________________________
8. Which branch of the military protects US properties around the
world?
__________________________________________________________
QUESTIONS

34. VETERANS DAY FRACTIONS
Color 2/5 of the I.D. tags BLUE
Color 1/4 of the planes RED

35. VETERANS DAY FRACTIONS
Color 2/3 of the eagles YELLOW.
Color 4/6 of the ribbons GREEN

36. VETERANS DAY FRACTIONS
Color 1/2 of the hats PURPLE
Color 1/5 of the calendars GREY

37. CLASS POLL: THERE’S A VETERAN IN MY FAMILY
If there is a veteran in your family, write their name
in one of the squares and place it on the image.

39. THANK YOU LETTER FOR VETERANS
Instructions:
Our class will be sending thank you letters to veterans to
thank them for their service. Write a thank you letter on
the journal paper provided.
Questions for Veterans:
Have you ever had a question you wanted to ask a veteran?
Come up with 3 questions and include them in your letter.

42. Answers

43. ANSWERS
ALPHABETICAL ORDER
The History of Veterans Day
1. What was the Great War called?
a. World War 1
2. When was the armistice called?
a. The 11th hour of the 11th month of 1918
3. What is an Armistice?
a. When both sides stop fighting for a short while
4. Who decided to create Armistice Day?
a. Woodrow Wilson
5. When was Armistice day made an official holiday?
a. In 1938
6. Who changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day?
a. Eisenhower
7. What is a veteran?
a. Someone who has served in the armed forces
8. What kinds of veterans do we have in the United States?
a. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard
9. How is Veterans Day different than Memorial Day?
a. Memorial Day honors those who died in War, but Veterans Day honors those who are
still living. Those who served in War, but also those who served in peace.

44. ANSWERS
Sequencing Activity Answers
1. Many soldiers lost their lives in World War 1.
2. President Woodrow Wilson decided to create Armistice Day
3. Armistice Day became an official holiday
4. Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day
5. We celebrate November 11th by thanking all veterans who served our country.
Place the following Veterans Day vocabulary in alphabetical order.

45. ANSWERS
PAST and PRESENT
1. FIGHT > FOUGHT
2. RESPECT > RESPECTED
3. APPRECIATE > APPRECIATED
4. PRAY > PRAYED
5. DEFEND > DEFENDED
6. HONOR > HONORED
Synonym Activity
Defend
• Protect
• Guard
• Shield
• secure
Appreciate
• value
• grateful
• thankful
• gratified
Free
• liberated
• unbound
• released
• unchained
Pride
• glory
• honor
• respect
• admire
Honor
• admire
• esteem
• look up to
• distinction
Brave
• courageous
• heroic
• valiant
• fearless

46. ANSWERS
ANTONYM ACTIVITY
Defend
• Attack
• Assault
• Harass
• Bother
Appreciate
• undervalue
• ungrateful
• thankless
• ungratified
Free
• chained
• bound
• captured
• jailed
Pride
• shame
• humiliate
• indignity
• embarrassment
Honor
• shame
• degraed
• discredit
• disgrace
Brave
• cowardly
• weak
• scared
• fearful

47. ANSWERS
True and False Facts about Veterans
True Facts About Veterans
• There are approximately 23.2 million military veterans in the United States.
• Veterans are friends, parents, grandparents, neighbors and co-workers
• 6 million veterans served in peacetime
• Veterans Day is always observed on November 11
• Britain, France, Australia and Canada also celebrate veterans on November 11
False Facts About Veterans
• All veterans are men
• Veterans are only American
• Veterans Day has always been called Veterans Day
• Veterans Day is the same thing as memorial Day
• Only the United States honors Veterans.

48. ANSWERS
DIFFERENT BRANCHES OF THE MILITARY READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS AN-
SWERS
1. Which branch of the military was established in 1775?
a. The Army
9. Which branch of the military makes sure nothing illegal happens in the waters around
the United States?
a. The Coast Guard
10. Which branch of the military is responsible for outer space?
a. Air Force
11. Which branch of the military is known as the “Boots on the Ground”?
a. The Marines
12. Which branch of the military are the police of the water?
a. The coast guard
13. Which branch of the military is the second smallest?
a. The Marines
14. Which branch of the military makes sure water is safe for travel and trade?
a. The Navy
15. Which branch of the military protects US properties around the world?
a. The Army

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