In 1954, after World War II and the war in Korea, Congress changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day, to honor American veterans of all wars.

For a detailed history of Veterans Day, to see past posters commemorating the holiday, and more, check out the Department of Veterans Affairs’ website.When I think of Veterans Day, I always recall the poem In Flanders Fields, written by a Canadian soldier who was killed while serving in World War I.

In Flanders Fields, by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Posted by Lisa, a second floor librarian