Veterans Day
Fighting in World War I ended with an armistice signed at 11 am on November 11, 1918. Since then, November 11 has been celebrated as “Armistice Day” in many countries that fought in the “War to End All Wars”. This hopeful title proved to ring hollow, as fighting began again in the 1930s, culminating in World War II. According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs website, in 1954 as the United States was fighting the Korean War, the US Congress changed Armistice Day to “Veterans Day”, making it a day to honor US veterans of all wars. In contrast with Memorial Day (last Monday in May), which is primarily intended to commemorate those who have given their lives in war, Veterans Day’s main purpose is to thank living veterans for their service.
American Education Week
The first American Education Week was recognized in 1921, with the National Education Association and American Legion as co-sponsors. Today it is recognized by the the US Department of Education, the American Legion, the NEA, and a variety other professional organizations supporting American educators. According to the National Education Association, “American Education Week—November 15-19, 2021—will present all Americans with a wonderful opportunity to celebrate public education and honor individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every child receives a quality education.”
For more information on this week, see NEA.org.