Today is Veteran's Day here in the United States. While the Treaty of Versailles ending World War I was not signed until June the following year, an armistice was established November 11, 1918. That day gave rise to Armistice Day, which is still celebrated throughout Europe.

On this day in the US we recognize all veterans and active duty service members. As part of the Tippie Diversity Committee's mission to foster inclusion, this email offers some information about this important day along diversity-related fast facts. If you have suggestions for future informative emails from our committee, please let us know.

FastFact. The UI Veterans Association organizes the annual Veterans Day flag display on the West lawn of the Pentacrest. Each flag is individually dedicated to a veteran with their information attached. If you are in Iowa City, stop by to look at the display any time this week. If you aren't in the area, you can see past flag displays on the website (https://veterans.uiowa.edu/veterans-day-flag-displays).

FastFact: University of Iowa is home to more than 2,400 veterans, dependents, and active-duty military members (https://veterans.uiowa.edu).

FastFact. Our namesake Henry Tippie is one of our best known Vets! After graduation from Belle Plaine High School in 1944, Henry enlisted in the Army Air Force at the age of 17. He served as a staff sergeant with the 20th Air Force in the South Pacific during World War II. He then attended the University of Iowa on the GI Bill.

FastFact: Student veterans differ from typical college students in that they are generally older, more likely to be married and have children, and more of them (62% nationwide) are the first in their family to attend college (Learn about Student Veterans, US Department of Veterans Affairs)!

President Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919, as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" (History of Veteran's Day, US Department of Veterans Affairs).

On behalf of the Tippie Diversity Committee, we would like to thank all our veterans and active duty service members for their service and their dedication to the causes of freedom and justice. Additionally, we'd like to thank their families for their support. If you'd like to celebrate or show your appreciation on social media, post a picture on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #honorhawkeyevets and tag @tippiecollege.

This week also marks a nation-wide celebration of first-generation students. Our first-generation students are truly remarkable individuals with amazing stories and they each make a real impact in our classrooms, community, and nation. In addition, the month of November is recognized nationally as Native American Heritage Month. For national events visit https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov, and fittingly, consider attending today's talk by the US Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo, an Iowa alum and member of the Muscogee Creek Nation. Registration is free.