Military Observances

Find out the different military observances and the differences between each day.

Armed Forces Day. Observed the third Saturday in May, this day is for all who currently serve and all who have served, both active and former, in the reserves, National Guard or on active duty, including the Coast Guard.  It replaced separate days that honored various branches of the military (Army, Air Force and Navy).

Veterans Day. Celebrated annually on November 11, this day of observance is for all living and deceased who have served in the military.

Memorial Day. Celebrated annually on the last Monday in May, this day of observance is for all who died while serving

National Guard Birthday Celebrated December 13, honors all citizen-soldiers who have civilian jobs but are available to provide support and protection for the states’ civilians. They may be called for military operations at a national level.

Within this Collection

SC Veterans in History, Part 4
Episode 4

Video

In this segment, a student asks why Francis Marion is called the Swamp Fox, and the answer is given that he was one of the first to use what we now know as guerilla tactics. He would hide in the swamp...
SC Veterans in History, Part 1
Episode 1

Video

Veterans Day was originally celebrated on Armistice Day on November 11, 1918 to commemorate the ending of hostilities in World War I. The Armistice was signed by President Woodrow Wilson on the 11th...
SC Veterans in History, Part 5
Episode 5

Video

In this segment, footage from the excavation of the Hunley is provided, and information about the salt water keeping the metal from corroding is given. Footage of the Hunley being raised is included...
SC Veterans in History, Part 3
Episode 3

Video

The importance of black Patriots in the American Revolution is discussed. In addition to black Patriots, there were a number of South Carolina women who served as heroes during the American Revolution...
SC Veterans in History, Part 2
Episode 2

Video

During the Revolutionary War, more battles occurred in South Carolina than anywhere in the Union. In September 1781, the Battle of Eutaw Springs was the last engagement of the Revolutionary Wat.in the...
SC Veterans in History, Part 7
Episode 7

Video

In 2009, student filmmaker Morgan Adams created a film about the Doolittle Raiders for the National History Day Competition. After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, the United States government asked...
SC Veterans in History, Part 9
Episode 9

Video

In this segment, the Korean War and the Vietnam War are discussed. Korea was known as a police action, and 466 South Carolinians were killed in that conflict, and four received Medals of Honor. In...
SC Veterans in History, Part 8
Episode 8

Video

A group of Columbia businessmen met one afternoon, raised the money, bought the acreage, and made a gift to the federal government of the land on which the camp was to be built. On June 2, 1917, Camp...
SC Veterans in History, Part 6
Episode 6

Video

This segment provides information on the Confederate Relic Room and answers a question about women who served in the Civil War. The definition of the word "relic" is provided, and information about...