Each year on November 11th Americans observe Veterans Day — a day dedicated to honoring veterans; people who have served or are currently serving in the US military.
Originally known as Armistice Day, the holiday was created in 1918 to mark the end of WWI and truce between the Allied countries and German. This day was initially observed with a moment of silence in honor of those who served and sacrificed for lasting peace, growing to include parades and speeches by veterans and politicians. In 1954, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day and expanded to include all United States veterans, celebrating and honoring their service in times of war and peace. Today, Veterans Day is marked by public ceremonies, gatherings and vigils at war memorials and monuments, concerts and speeches.
On Veterans Day the President of the United States lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, honoring all of America’s soldiers who have fallen in war. The holiday has also helped create year-round programs like the Veterans History Project, which collects and preserves stories and accounts of U.S. veterans through oral descriptions and primary documents like letters, diaries, photographs and more.
Keep scrolling for educational resources about the lives of veterans and their families, history of Veterans Day, and local stories from Mountain Lake PBS’ Veterans Coming Home series.
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Learn About Veterans, Veterans Day & Military Life
Soldiers, Veterans, and War in American Life collection
Grades 3-12
These videos, images, and media-rich lesson plans allow you to bring stories from the battlefront into American history, world history, and health classrooms. Compare veterans’ recounted memories of World War II and Vietnam to understand how these wars shaped American culture. Analyze artifacts and oral histories that reveal important experiences of a nation during times of conflict. Use recent veterans’ personal stories to engage in a discussion of how the choice to become a soldier and the experience of serving relate to personal values and goals.
Student Reporting Labs: Military Families
Grades 6-12
On Veterans Day, most Americans think of the men and women in uniform. But military life also has a huge effect on their children. This Daily News Story from PBS NewsHour Extra includes additional warm-up and discussion questions for students.
This Native American Veteran Carried Lessons—and a Pebble—Into War | American Veteran: Keep It Close
Grades 6-12
Harvey Pratt is a member of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Sioux Tribes who served in the Marines during the Vietnam War. Lessons from his elders, such as putting a pebble in his mouth to help stave off thirst, helped him thrive and look after his fellow soldiers in Vietnam. These teachings benefited him throughout his successful career in law enforcement, giving him strength and support.
Photos Capture Collision of Military and Civilian Life
Grades 6-12
Look into an artist’s process in capturing veterans’ stories with this video and educational materials from PBS NewsHour.
Put Country First: Serving Their Country, on the Battlefield and at Home | A Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Democracy
Grades 6-12
A Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Democracy explores real-life examples of Americans who are striving to build a healthier democracy and who embody the spirit of a more informed and engaged citizenry—one person at a time. This video features members of More Perfect Union, a veteran led organization that brings people together to participate in community service projects, civic education and engagement, and social gatherings. After watching, consider the concept of unity and its connection to the functions of the United States government.
American Veteran collection
Grades 9-12
Using video clips from the documentary American Veteran, follow individual trajectories of America’s diverse community of veterans as they join the military, experience deployments, and then return and adjust to civilian life. Analyze oral histories that describe the camaraderie of the veteran community, the struggles of engaging in combat, and the experiences—positive and negative—of returning to civilian life. After watching, engage in a discussion of how American veterans are treated by civilians during their service and on returning home from various conflicts.
Activities, Lesson Plans & More
Sesame Street for Military Families
Grades PreK-3
Explore military parenting advice and tips to find information on self-expression, positive parenting, and answers to common concerns of military families with Sesame Street for Military Families. Using this free, bilingual (English and Spanish) website, families can download apps, printable activity pages for children, and play online games together to help share your thoughts and feelings.
Promoting Emotional Intelligence for Children in Military Families
Grades PreK-5
Developing emotional intelligence is an essential part of promoting resilience for all children, but practicing these skills may look a little different in military families. Try these strategies to help the military children in your life manage their many emotions.
What Does “Warrior” Mean to You? | The Warrior Tradition
Grades K-5
Develop a definition for the word “warrior,” investigate what “warrior” means to Native Americans, and compare and contrast your understanding of the word warrior to Native Americans’ concept of a warrior with these videos and a classroom-ready activity.
PBS NewsHour Classroom | Veterans Day and the Meaning of Sacrifice: Lesson Plan
Grades 6-12
Use this PBS NewsHour Classroom lesson plan to help students understand the significance of Veterans Day and the meaning of sacrifice. Students will identify important veterans in their lives, examine an interactive timeline of military history and study issues facing veterans today.
Warriors in the North: Healing through Art | Prairie Mosaic Shorts
Grades 6-12
Learn about Warriors in the North, an event where veterans with trauma design masks that reflect their experiences. The project helps veterans recover from trauma through art. After watching, students can reflect on their own lives and create a mask that expresses who they are filling it with words, art elements, or a combination of both.
Veterans Coming Home
Veterans Coming Home is an innovative cross-platform public media campaign that bridges America’s military-civilian divide by telling stories, challenging stereotypes and exploring how the values of service and citizenship are powerful connectors for all Americans.
Mountain Lake PBS is a partner station in this national initiative by public media stations around the country. Watch our entire Veterans Coming Home series online, anytime.
Adirondack craftsman creates Northern Red Oak flagpoles
A retired Marine from the North Country has become known across America for his hand-crafted flagpoles. Danny Kaifetz uses red oak from the Adirondacks to create his beautiful wooden flagpoles.
When I Returned
Learn how veterans are sharing their personal experiences through art with the comic book anthology, When I Returned, a collaboration between The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) and the VA Medical Center in White River Junction, Vermont. Part of the “Cartoonist Veteran Project,” the comic book features stories by local veterans drawn by CCS students and alumni.
Wilderness Camp
Follow along as a veterans organization transforms a former camp in the Adirondacks into a retreat for veterans. Many veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan can have a hard time adjusting to life back home. Homeward Bound Adirondacks is a non-profit group that helps veterans who are having trouble adjusting or suffering from PTSD.