Veterans Day Resources for Your Classroom

Teaching about Veterans Day offers a chance to help students move beyond facts and dates to explore the human stories behind service and sacrifice. Britannica’s trusted resources and ready-to-teach materials equip educators with historical context, inquiry-based activities, and opportunities for meaningful reflection that bring those stories to life.

Whether you’re introducing the origins of the holiday or helping students connect with veterans’ experiences, these resources bring depth, accuracy, and empathy to your classroom discussions.

Teaching the History Behind Veterans Day

Did you know that Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day? First observed in 1919, it marked the one-year anniversary of the end of World War I. In 1954, the observance was renamed Veterans Day to honor all who have served in the U.S. armed forces. Today, ceremonies across the country pay tribute to the dedication and sacrifice of generations of veterans.

Download our interactive resource, Meet the United States Military, to help students connect the origins of Veterans Day to the ongoing legacy of service in our nation.

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Help Students Dig Deeper

We’ve selected a few of our favorite resources that encourage students to think critically, make personal connections, and spark meaningful discussion. These instructional strategies foster reflection on service, sacrifice, and citizenship through inquiry-based activities and connections to primary sources.

Cause and Effect Strategy

Grades K–12

Reinforce historical thinking by tracing how conflicts shape national and individual identities.

Trace It

Talking Points Strategy

Grades 3–12

Hold structured conversations that build respect and understanding, reflecting the values of service and remembrance.

Talk About It

Critical Event Analysis Strategy

Grades 6–12

Encourage deep examination of key military events and their human impact, fostering empathy and understanding of veterans’ experiences.

Analyze It

Spotlight on Veterans

Looking for ready-to-use tools to spark classroom discussion? These curated resources make it simple to highlight the lives of those who have served in the military.

In the News!

Navajo Code Talker Dies at 107

John Kinsel, Sr., who was a Navajo code talker during World War II, died in 2024.

Meet Him

Downloadable

Notable U.S. Wars

Uncover the impact of the conflicts that have shaped the nation, from its formation during the Revolutionary War to the more modern involvement in the Persian Gulf.

Get the Timeline