Veteran's Day Coloring Pages

Veterans Day, also known as Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in some other countries, is a holiday commemorating veterans of the armed forces.

information 

1. Date: In the United States, Veterans Day is celebrated annually on November 11, commemorating the end of World War I. In other countries, this date is also important and is often called Memorial Day or Day of Forgotten Heroes.
2. Origins: The holiday was originally known as Armistice Day and was intended to commemorate the end of World War I, which officially ended on November 11, 1918 at 11:00 a.m. (the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month).
3. Name change: In the US, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to commemorate veterans of all wars, not just World War I.
4. Day off: In the United States, Veteran's Day is a federal holiday, which means that many public institutions are closed. Veterans often participate in parades, ceremonies and other commemorative events.
5. Poppies: In many countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the red poppy has become a symbol of Memorial Day. Wearing poppies is a tradition that took its name from the poem "In Flanders Fields," written by John McCrae.
6. Truce at Compiègne: The armistice that ended World War I was signed in Compiègne, France. It was there that the Germans and Allies reached an agreement ending the fighting.
7. Celebrations around the world: Many countries celebrate Memorial Day or similar holidays on November 11, commemorating those who fell in World War I and other conflicts. In Poland, National Independence Day is celebrated on this day, commemorating the regaining of Poland's independence in 1918.
8. Ceremonies and a minute's silence: In many places, commemorations include wreath-laying ceremonies and a minute of silence at 11:00 am.
9. Distinction from Memorial Day: The U.S. also has a holiday called Memorial Day, which is celebrated on the last Monday in May and commemorates soldiers who died in the line of duty. Unlike Veteran's Day, it focuses on those who have fallen rather than all veterans.
10. Recognition of veterans: Many restaurants, stores and businesses in the United States offer special discounts or promotions for veterans and military service members on Veteran's Day as a token of gratitude for their service.

trivia

1. Not always on November 11: Although Veterans Day in the US is celebrated on November 11, for a time it was celebrated on the fourth Monday in October. The change occurred as part of the Monday Holiday Act of 1968, but was restored to the original date in 1978 due to strong public opinion.
2. Why poppies?: The inspiration for wearing poppies as a Memorial Day symbol came from a Canadian nurse named Moina Michael. After reading the poem "In Flanders Fields," she decided to wear a red poppy as a symbol of remembrance for the fallen. Soon after, it became popular in many countries.
3. Arlington Cemetery: On Veteran's Day in the US, a ceremony is held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery at 11:00 am. This is one of the most solemn places to celebrate this holiday.
4. The sound of bells: In some Veteran's Day observances, church bells toll 21 times at 11:00 am in tribute to fallen soldiers.
5. Celebrating in space: In 1971, astronaut Alan Shepard, while on the moon as part of the Apollo 14 mission, marked Veterans Day by hitting the lunar soil twice with a golf club, saying it was "for all veterans."
6. Parades: Although Veteran's Day is celebrated in many countries, in the US it is known for its huge parades, especially in cities like New York and Chicago.
7. Parade leader: In the United States, a Grand Marshal, or honorary leader of the Veteran's Day parade, is selected each year. This is often a person who has served in the armed forces or someone who has otherwise contributed to supporting veterans.
8. Most veterans: According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the largest number of living veterans in the U.S. served during World War II and the wars in Korea, Vietnam and the Middle East.
9. International celebration: Although the U.S. has its Veterans Day, many other countries, such as Canada, the U.K. and Australia, have similar days of remembrance, but they are often called Memorial Day or Armistice Day.
10. Green light: A "Greenlight A Vet" ("Go green for a veteran") initiative has been launched in the U.S., encouraging people to turn one light in their home green to show support for veterans.