Men and women in our armed forces serve the country. They are called service members, and people who have served are veterans. Two holidays honor them.
Key idea
Memorial Day (the last Monday in May) remembers service members who died serving our country. Veterans Day (November 11) thanks everyone who has served.
Why it works
After the Civil War, families decorated soldiers' graves with spring flowers. This became Memorial Day. Veterans Day began as the day World War I fighting stopped: November 11, 1918, at 11 o'clock in the morning. Today Veterans Day thanks all veterans, and many of them are our neighbors, grandparents and friends.
Common mistake
The two days are easy to mix up. A memory trick: Memorial Day is for remembering those who died. Veterans Day is for thanking all veterans, and many of them are still alive.
For the grown-up: If you know a veteran, a thank-you card on November 11 is a good way to mark the day. Memorial Day began as "Decoration Day" in 1868.