Veterans Day

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Atlanta History Center invites all active-duty service members, veterans, their families, and grateful community members to our annual Veterans Day Commemoration Ceremony on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 11:00am in Veterans Park.

2026 marks 250 years of American independence, which will be recognized through the ceremony and additional programming throughout the day.

Commemoration Ceremony

11:00am-12:00pm

Keynote Speaker – Nicholas Reynolds, Colonel USMCR (Ret)

Atlanta History Center’s annual Veterans Day Commemoration Ceremony honors the sacrifice of the women and men who served in the United States armed forces.

The ceremony is free to attend and will take place at 11 am in Veterans Park on the Atlanta History Center campus. Seating is first come, first served. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will move to an indoor location.

More about Nicholas Reynolds, Colonel USMCR (Ret)

Growing up in the shadow of World War II fueled this author’s passion for history. Freshly minted PhD from Oxford University in hand, Nicholas Reynolds joined the United States Marine Corps, serving as an infantry officer and then as a historian.

He later served as a CIA officer, ending his career with a years-long stretch as the historian for the CIA Museum. In retirement, he teaches and writes. His most recent book was Need to Know, World War II and the Rise of American Intelligence, designated one of the “Best of 2022” by The New Yorker.

He and his wife, Becky, live outside Washington, DC and care for a Havanese named Ruby.

Veterans Day Programming: 9am-2pm

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Ortiz’s War: Book Signing with Katie S. Sanders

9:30AM—10:30AM

Purchase your own copy of Ortiz’s War, the true story of Peter J. Ortiz and his path to becoming the most battle-decorated member of America’s first spy agency—and one of the most decorated Marines of World War II. Come back for the Author Talk later in the evening to learn more about Ortiz’s story from authors Nicholas Reynolds and Katie S. Sanders.

Katie S. Sanders is an award-winning journalist who has written for National Geographic, The New York Times, Washington Post Magazine, New York, TIME, Smithsonian, Vanity Fair, Insider, Glamour, and Marie Claire. Her reporting has brought her to the CIA, the White House, and the homes and reunions of many World War II veterans and Holocaust survivors.

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Atlanta Opera Performance

10:00am

Hear a selection from The Atlanta Opera’s Silent Night, a Pulitzer-Prize winning contemporary opera by Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell based on the powerful, true story of the spontaneous Christmas truce between French, British, and German soldiers during World War I: an extraordinary moment of peace, connection and shared humanity across enemy lines when opposing forces laid down their weapons and came together around a makeshift tree to sing carols and play soccer matches.

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Civil War Guided Tours

9:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM

Join the Civil War guided tour to explore the causes of the Civil War, how it was fought, and how it has been remembered. The new exhibit More Perfect Union features a breakdown of the Civil War from start to finish using the stories from soldiers who fought in the War.

The Cyclorama, which depicts the Battle of Atlanta, is a panoramic painting which has become an icon in Atlanta with a story of changing interpretations.

Tour times are offered at 9:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 1:30 pm. Tours last 45 minutes and meet in front of the More Perfect Union exhibit.

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Veterans Park Tour

12:15 pm—12:45 pm

Learn more about the creation of Veterans Park, the symbolism behind its design, and the sacred soil that is part of this important space.

This tour will be led by Max Torrence, Lt. Colonel, US Army Retired, Past President of Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association, and Atlanta History Center Military Advisor .

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Veterans History Project Video

Ongoing

The Veterans History Project oral history collection contains video and audio interviews of veterans who served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, the Global War on Terror, and civilians who supported them.

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Digital Collections and Kenan Research Center Pop Up

Ongoing

Visit our Gatheround Gallery to see a specially curated selection of artifacts from our collections highlighting those who served in WWII, the Vietnam War, and other conflicts. While you’re here, meet staff from our Kenan Research Center who can share more about collections items and resources you can explore through our library and archives.

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Salute a Service Member

Ongoing

Show your appreciation for our active-duty service members by coloring a postcard and writing a message of thanks! These postcards will be distributed to service members.

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Veterans Resources

Ongoing

Discover a variety of resources for Veterans and their families including Atlanta…