Rediscovering America

Nov. 11 is Veterans Day as well as the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the solemn landmark at Arlington National Cemetery honoring military personnel killed in action who have never been identified. Since 1999, a vacant crypt on the grounds has honored missing service members from the Vietnam War.

The quiz below, from the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University in Ohio provides an opportunity to test your knowledge of Veterans Day and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

1. What was Veterans Day originally called?

A. Armed Forces Day B. Remembrance Day C. Soldiers Day

D. Armistice Day

2. In what year was the name changed to Veterans Day?

A. 1938

B. 1945

C. 1954

D. 1962

3. Starting in 1971, after the Uniform Holiday Bill was passed moving federal holiday observances to Mondays, Veterans Day was observed on different dates. What president signed the legislation returning the annual observance to its original date?

A. Richard M. Nixon B. Gerald R. Ford

C. Jimmy Carter

D. Ronald Reagan

4. Why is Veterans Day always observed on Nov. 11, rather than on a Monday, like other national holidays?

A. The World War I ceasefire was signed on the 11th day of the 11th month

B. The Allies won the First Battle of Ypres on Nov. 11

C. The last World War I soldier returned home on that date

D. The Battle of the Somme ended on Nov. 11 after 141 days

5. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are approximately how many veterans living in the United States today?

A. 7 million

B. 12 million

C. 19 million

D. 46 million

6. Which U.S. state is credited with being the home to the most Medal of Honor winners? A. New York B. Pennsylvania

C. Ohio

D. Texas

7. In proposing legislation to create the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in 1921, which congressman said, “It is hoped that the grave of this unidentified warrior

will become a shrine of patriotism for all the ages to come, which will be a source of inspiration, reverence and love of country for future generations”?

A. William A. Ashbrook of Ohio

B. Champ Clark of Missouri

C. Hamilton Fish III of New York D. Frederick Gillett of Massachusetts

8. Which U.S. president officiated at the ceremony dedicating the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

A. Woodrow Wilson

B. Warren Harding

C. Calvin Coolidge

D. Herbert Hoover

9. In addition to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery also houses a Tomb of the Civil War Unknowns. Of the 2,111 unidentified soldiers buried there, 1,800 were recovered from which battlefield?

A. Antietam

B. Vicksburg

C. Gettysburg

D. Manassas (Bull Run)

10. Which former general said, “The highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country”?

A. George Patton

B. John Pershing

C. George Marshall

D. Douglas MacArthur

ANSWERS: 1-D, 2-C, 3-B, 4-A, 5-C, 6-A, 7-C, 8-B, 9-D, 10-A

Jeffrey Sikkenga is professor of political science at Ashland University and executive director of the Ashbrook Center, an independent academic center at the university focused on U.S. history and government. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.

Alex Brandon / Associated Press A tomb guard of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” walks before a centennial commemoration event at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Arlington National Cemetery Tuesday in Arlington, Va.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media World War II U.S. Navy veteran George Tai holds the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor for Military Service after it was presented to him by American Legion Post 1291 member Kenneth Wong during a ceremony held at Nathaniel Witherell Nursing Home in Greenwich on Aug. 20.

Getty Images U.S. Air Force airmen place flowers during a centennial commemoration event at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday in Arlington, Va.

M. Ryder