50 Fun Facts About Veterans Day Quiz

What was Veterans Day originally called when it was first established?

Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day, established to commemorate the end of World War I on November 11, 1918.

On what date is Veterans Day observed in the United States?

Veterans Day is observed on November 11 each year, marking the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918.

Which U.S. president signed the legislation that changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day?

President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the legislation on June 1, 1954, that changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all American veterans, not just those who served in World War I.

What is the key difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?

Veterans Day honors ALL who have served in the U.S. military, living and dead, while Memorial Day specifically honors those who died while serving.

At what time of day did the World War I armistice take effect on November 11, 1918?

The armistice took effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month — 11:00 a.m. on November 11, 1918.

Where was the World War I armistice signed on November 11, 1918?

The armistice was signed in a railway car in the Forest of Compiègne, France, at 5:45 a.m. on November 11, 1918, taking effect at 11:00 a.m.

In what year did November 11 officially become a U.S. federal holiday?

Congress made November 11 a legal federal holiday in 1938, originally as Armistice Day. It was later renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

Which national cemetery hosts the most prominent Veterans Day ceremony each year?

Each year on Veterans Day, the president traditionally lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

How many steps does a Tomb Guard walk before turning at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

Tomb Guards walk 21 steps, then turn and face the Tomb for 21 seconds, about face, and repeat. The number 21 symbolizes the 21-gun salute, the highest military honor.

Since what year has the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier been guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

The Tomb has been continuously guarded 24/7 since July 1, 1937, regardless of weather conditions. Soldiers were first stationed at the Tomb in 1926 but not around the clock.

Which U.S. Army unit is responsible for guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard," has been responsible for guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier since April 6, 1948.

What flower is traditionally associated with honoring veterans and fallen soldiers?

The red poppy became a symbol of remembrance after the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae described poppies growing over the graves of fallen soldiers.

Who wrote the famous poem "In Flanders Fields" that inspired the remembrance poppy?

Canadian physician Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote "In Flanders Fields" on May 3, 1915, after presiding over the funeral of a friend killed at the Second Battle of Ypres.

What is the equivalent holiday to Veterans Day called in Commonwealth nations like Canada and the UK?

Commonwealth nations including Canada, the UK, and Australia observe November 11 as Remembrance Day, honoring those who served in military conflicts.

For a brief period, Veterans Day was moved from November 11 to a Monday under which act?

The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 moved Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October starting in 1971. It was returned to November 11 in 1978 due to public outcry.

In what year was Veterans Day returned to its original November 11 observance after being temporarily moved?

Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday in October in 1971, but strong public sentiment led Congress to return the holiday to November 11 in 1978.

Which president first proclaimed November 11, 1919, as Armistice Day?

President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation on November 11, 1919, declaring the first anniversary of the end of World War I as Armistice Day.

Which military branch celebrates its birthday on November 10, just one day before Veterans Day?

The U.S. Marine Corps celebrates its birthday on November 10, having been founded in 1775. Marines customarily observe both occasions as a 96-hour liberty period.

What is the traditional presidential ceremony performed at Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day?

The president traditionally lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day.

What was the first Unknown Soldier interred at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier a casualty of?

The first Unknown Soldier was a World War I casualty, interred on November 11, 1921, in a ceremony presided over by President Warren G. Harding.

Which Allied commander accepted the German surrender and signed the WWI armistice?

French Marshal Ferdinand Foch, Supreme Commander of the Allied Armies, accepted the German delegation and oversaw the signing of the armistice in his railway car at Compiègne.

What did Raymond Weeks of Birmingham, Alabama propose in 1945 regarding Armistice Day?

WWII veteran Raymond Weeks proposed in 1945 that Armistice Day should honor all veterans who served, not just those from World War I. His idea eventually led to the renaming to Veterans Day in 1954.

Approximately how many living veterans are there in the United States?

There are approximately 18 million living veterans in the United States, representing about 6% of the country's adult population.

Why do Tomb Guards at Arlington not wear rank insignia on their uniforms?

Tomb Guards do not wear rank insignia so as not to outrank the Unknown Soldiers, whose ranks are unknown. This shows respect regardless of what rank they may have held.

Where in France was the WWI armistice physically signed?

The armistice was signed inside Marshal Foch's private railway car, parked in a clearing in the Forest of Compiègne, about 65 miles north of Paris.

In which magazine was "In Flanders Fields" first published in 1915?

"In Flanders Fields" was first published on December 8, 1915, in the British magazine Punch after being rejected by The Spectator.

Which country observes November 11 as National Independence Day rather than a veterans' commemoration?

Poland observes November 11 as National Independence Day, commemorating the restoration of Poland's sovereignty in 1918 after 123 years of partition.

What ceremony takes place daily at the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium, to honor fallen soldiers?

The Last Post ceremony has been performed every evening at 8 p.m. at the Menin Gate in Ypres since 1928, except during the German occupation in WWII.

What percentage of the U.S. adult population are veterans?

Veterans represent approximately 6% of the U.S. adult population, or roughly 18 million people.

Which president presided over the interment of the first Unknown Soldier at Arlington in 1921?

President Warren G. Harding presided over the state funeral and placed the Medal of Honor on the casket of the first Unknown Soldier on November 11, 1921.

How many pages of information must Tomb Guards memorize about Arlington National Cemetery?

Tomb Guards are required to memorize 35 pages of information about Arlington National Cemetery, including the locations of nearly 300 graves.

What medal was placed on the casket of the first Unknown Soldier during his 1921 interment?

President Harding placed the Medal of Honor — the nation's highest military decoration — on the casket of the Unknown Soldier of World War I.

What three figures are depicted on the marble sarcophagus of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

The marble sarcophagus, unveiled in 1932, features neoclassical carvings of three figures representing Peace, Victory, and Valor.

Unknown Soldiers from which two conflicts were simultaneously interred at Arlington on May 30, 1958?

Unknown Soldiers from World War II and the Korean War were both awarded the Medal of Honor and interred simultaneously on May 30, 1958.

Who is credited with originating the idea of a moment of silence at 11 a.m. on November 11?

Edward George Honey, an Australian journalist living in London, is credited with first proposing the idea of a moment of silence at 11 a.m. on November 11.

What percentage of volunteers who apply to become Tomb Guards are ultimately accepted for training?

Fewer than 20% of all volunteers are accepted for training, and of those, only a fraction go on to pass all tests and become full-fledged Tomb Guards.

What flower does Serbia use as a symbol of remembrance for veterans, similar to other countries using poppies?

Serbia uses Natalie's ramonda as its symbol of remembrance. Serbia suffered the largest casualty rate of any nation in World War I.

In France, where is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier located?

France's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, where a grand parade is held each Armistice Day.

What did the original 1938 Armistice Day law declare November 11 should be dedicated to?

The 1938 act designated November 11 as "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day."

How many soldiers are estimated to have died on the final day of World War I, despite the armistice being signed that morning?

Approximately 2,738 soldiers from both sides died on November 11, 1918, as fighting continued right up until the 11 a.m. ceasefire despite the armistice being signed at 5:45 a.m.

How long was the initial WWI armistice agreement valid before needing renewal?

The original armistice was valid for 36 days and had to be extended several times. A formal peace agreement was not reached until the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919.

Which U.S. holiday specifically honors military members who died in service to the country?

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday in May, specifically honors military personnel who died in service. Veterans Day honors all who served, living and dead.

Which U.S. holiday, observed on the third Saturday of May, honors those currently serving in the military?

Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May and honors those currently serving in the U.S. military, unlike Veterans Day (all who served) or Memorial Day (those who died).

What was the formal peace treaty that officially ended World War I, signed months after the armistice?

The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, formally ending World War I. The November 11, 1918 armistice only established a ceasefire.

What nationality was John McCrae, author of "In Flanders Fields"?

John McCrae was a Canadian physician and soldier. He wrote the poem while serving with the Canadian Expeditionary Force at the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915.

In what year was the marble sarcophagus at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier completed and unveiled?

The elaborate marble sarcophagus was completed and unveiled on April 9, 1932, over a decade after the Unknown Soldier was first interred in 1921.

What common practice do businesses across the U.S. offer to veterans on Veterans Day?

Many restaurants and businesses across the U.S. offer free meals, discounts, and special deals to veterans and active-duty military members on Veterans Day.

Which German leader abdicated on November 10, 1918, one day before the armistice was signed?

Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated on November 10, 1918, and fled to the Netherlands. The new German government then authorized signing the armistice the following day.

Which era of U.S. veterans currently makes up the largest portion of the living veteran population?

Gulf War era veterans — including both the pre-9/11 and post-9/11 service periods — now make up the largest group of living veterans, totaling approximately 8.7 million.

What does the 96-hour liberty period refer to in the context of November military observances?

Because the Marine Corps Birthday (November 10) falls just one day before Veterans Day (November 11), Marines customarily observe both occasions as a combined 96-hour liberty period.