Veteran’s Day, celebrated this year on November 11, honors American veterans of all wars, but it began as a way to commemorate World War I. In 1918, the Allies and the Germans declared an armistice on November 11, which helped bring the war to an end. Armistice Day observances began the following year and continued each year after that. The day became known as Veterans Day in 1954.
Newtonians have participated in wars since the American Revolution. A monument to those who lost their lives in the Civil War stands in Newton Cemetery. It was rededicated in 2014 on the 150th anniversary of its installation. Newtonians who lost their lives in World War I are honored in a mural on originally created for Newton High School, now on display at Newton North. Read more about the mural here.
Historian Matthew Delmont looks at the challenges facing Black service members in World War II in a talk for the Newton History Series. Watch a recording of the talk here.
Veterans of many conflicts share their memories of their experiences through the Newton Talks Oral History Project. Find interviews with veterans here.
Veteran’s Day honors all American veterans – living or dead – but pays special tribute to living veterans who served their country.
