Memorial Day

Memorial Day

The Gilder Lehrman Institute invites you to explore a wide variety of resources that commemorate the lives and experiences of America’s veterans, including our extensive work with the Veterans Legacy Program (VLP). Part of the National Cemetery Administration (NCA), a division of the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the VLP commemorates our nation’s veterans by discovering and sharing their stories.


 

Image: A print depicting the Battle of Pea Ridge, published by Kurz and Allison, Chicago, 1889. (The Gilder Lehrman Institute, GLC00317.01)

 

A painting of the Battle of Pea Ridge

How to Research a World War II Veteran

Learn about the historical research process in this step-by-step guide. As you progress, you will have opportunities to apply what you are learning.

Image: American Servicemen and women in Paris celebrating the unconditional surrender of the Japanese, August 15, 1945. (National Archives, 111-SC-210241)

Get Started
Crowd of military Service members holding up newspapers with "PEACE" headline in large letters

Featured Resources

WWII poster showing 1943 troops passing Revolutionary era soldiers
Teacher

Veterans Legacy Program

Part of the National Cemetery Administration (NCA), a division of the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Legacy Program commemorates our nation’s veterans by discovering and sharing their stories. Resources include free professional development sessions, lesson plans, and online exhibitions.

Explore Program
Black and white photograph of the Lehigh Valley pier after the Black Tom explosion
Student

History U: World War I

This self-paced course for high school students, led by Michael Neiberg, explores American involvement in World War I in Europe and at home. 

Learn more
World War I Poster
All Audiences

Online Exhibition: “World War I and America: A Centennial Exhibition”

Learn about the first World War by reviewing primary sources from the Gilder Lehrman Collection.

View Exhibition

Additional Resources

Essays

History Now

Essays

Exhibitions

Exhibitions

The Gilder Lehrman Institute has over eighty online exhibitions covering American history from the colonial era to the present day.

Historical Documents

Spotlights on Primary Sources

Each Spotlight on a document from the Gilder Lehrman Collection provides explanatory text, a transcript, and an image of the featured document.

Public Programs

Inside the Vault

Inside the Vault highlights unique primary sources from the Gilder Lehrman Collection each month.