A Salute to Our Veterans with our Wars and Conflicts Collection!

November 11, 2024

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Veterans Day is the day we honor those individuals who bravely answered the call of duty to preserve and protect our beloved United States, as well as our rights. The observance was originally called "Armistice Day". President Woodrow Wilson declared 11 November, 1919 as the first ever Armistice Day to commemorate what happened exactly one year prior. After four years of bloody fighting during World War I, a ceasefire was called on the date of 11 November, 1918, and all guns- Allied as well as those of the Central Powers- fell silent on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. 

A congressional act passed on May 13, 1938 made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.” Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor Veterans of World War I. The holiday evolved further in 1954 when it was expanded to include American veterans of all wars, and the word "Armistice" was replaced with "Veterans."

SCETV wishes to honor South Carolina's veterans by showcasing the Palmetto State's contributions in wars and conflicts throughout U.S. history. 

Is there a particular war you may not be familiar with? SCETV has you covered! Take the time to thank a veteran, and browse through the KnowItAll.org Wars and Conflicts Collection below to learn more about these conflicts in which South Carolinians took part!

The French and Indian War (1754-1763) 

The French and Indian War (1754–1763) was a conflict between the British and French empires, with Native American tribes aligning with both sides but mostly supporting the French. The war was part of a larger global conflict known as the Seven Years' War. It was primarily fought over territorial disputes in North America, particularly in the Ohio River Valley, which both the British and French claimed. The war resulted from competition for control over trade routes and expansion of their colonies. The British ultimately won, gaining significant territory in North America, but the war's high costs set the stage for colonial discontent that would lead to the American Revolution.

American Revolutionary War (1775-1783)

The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) was fought between the Thirteen American Colonies and Great Britain over issues like "taxation without representation," restrictive laws, and a desire for self-governance influenced by Enlightenment ideals. Tensions escalated through events like the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party. The conflict began with the battles of Lexington and Concord and concluded with the Treaty of Paris in 1783, resulting in the colonies' victory and recognition as the independent United States, aided by allies such as France.

The War of 1812 (1812-1815)

The War of 1812 (1812–1815) was fought between the United States and Great Britain, with conflicts primarily stemming from issues such as trade restrictions, British support of Native American resistance against American expansion, and the forced impressment of American sailors into the British Royal Navy. The U.S. sought to assert its rights as a neutral nation during the Napoleonic Wars and aimed to expand its territory, including ambitions toward Canada. Key events included battles along the Canadian border, the burning of Washington, D.C. by British forces, and significant naval engagements. The war ended with the Treaty of Ghent in 1814, restoring pre-war boundaries but leaving many issues unresolved. It bolstered national pride in the U.S. and paved the way for future American expansion.

The Mexican-American War (1846-1848)

The Mexican-American War (1846–1848) was a conflict between the United States and Mexico, primarily fueled by territorial disputes and the U.S. desire for westward expansion under the concept of Manifest Destiny. Tensions rose after the U.S. annexed Texas in 1845, which Mexico still considered part of its territory despite Texas' independence in 1836. The war began when border skirmishes occurred along the Rio Grande. The U.S. aimed to acquire additional lands in the Southwest, including present-day California and New Mexico. The war ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, where Mexico ceded significant territory (approximately half its land) to the U.S., including modern-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of other states, in exchange for $15 million and the assumption of certain debts.

American Civil War (1861-1865)

The American Civil War (1861–1865) was fought between the Northern states (the Union) and the Southern states (the Confederacy) primarily over the issue of slavery and states' rights. The Southern states, whose economies were heavily reliant on slavery for their agricultural production, seceded from the Union after the election of Abraham Lincoln, who opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories. The war was also fueled by debates over the balance of power between federal and state governments. The conflict began with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861. It was marked by significant battles, including Gettysburg and Antietam, and saw extensive loss of life. The Union's victory in 1865 preserved the United States as a single nation and led to the abolition of slavery with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

The Spanish American War (1898)

The Spanish-American War (1898) was a brief conflict between the United States and Spain, primarily sparked by American intervention in the Cuban War of Independence. The war was driven by the U.S.'s support for the Cuban struggle against Spanish colonial rule, as well as economic and strategic interests in the region. Public sentiment in the U.S. was inflamed by sensationalist journalism, known as yellow journalism, especially after the mysterious explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, which was blamed on Spain. The war resulted in a swift victory for the U.S., leading to the Treaty of Paris. Under the treaty, Spain relinquished control of Cuba and ceded territories to the U.S., including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, marking the emergence of the United States as a global power.


 

World War I (1914-1918)

World War I (1914–1918) was a global conflict primarily involving the major powers of Europe, sparked by a complex web of political, military, and economic rivalries. The immediate cause was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in June 1914, which set off a chain reaction of alliances and mutual defense pacts. The war was fueled by deep-rooted issues such as nationalism, militarism, imperial competition, and entangled alliances among nations like Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire (the Central Powers) against France, Britain, Russia, and later the United States (the Allied Powers).

Trench warfare characterized the brutal and stalemated fighting on the Western Front, while other fronts saw shifting battles. New military technologies, including tanks, machine guns, and chemical weapons, contributed to unprecedented levels of carnage. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, which placed heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany, sowing seeds of resentment that would contribute to World War II.

World War II (1939-1945)

World War II (1939–1945) was a global conflict that involved most of the world's nations and was marked by the most extensive and destructive warfare in history. It was primarily driven by the aggressive expansionist policies of Nazi Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, who aimed to dominate Europe, reclaim territories lost after World War I, and promote an ideology rooted in racial superiority. The war began when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, prompting Britain and France to declare war.

The conflict expanded as Italy, led by Mussolini, and Japan, seeking to dominate Asia and the Pacific, joined Germany to form the Axis Powers. The Allies, led by the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, China, and later the United States, opposed them. The war was marked by significant events, including the Holocaust, in which millions of Jews and other persecuted groups were systematically murdered, and major battles like Stalingrad, D-Day, and the Pacific island campaigns.

The conflict ended in Europe with Germany’s surrender in May 1945 and concluded in the Pacific after the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to Japan's surrender in September 1945. The war reshaped global politics, leading to the emergence of the U.S. and Soviet Union as superpowers and setting the stage for the Cold War.

The Cold War (1947-1991)

The Cold War (1947–1991) was a geopolitical and ideological conflict between the United States and its allies, representing capitalist democracy, and the Soviet Union and its allies, representing communist socialism. It was characterized by a lack of direct military confrontation between the superpowers, but instead was fought through proxy wars, espionage, political influence, and nuclear arms races.

The Cold War began after World War II as the U.S. and the Soviet Union emerged as the two dominant global powers, with starkly different political and economic systems. The U.S. promoted liberal democracy and capitalism, while the Soviet Union pushed for Marxist-Leninist communism. Tensions rose over issues such as the division of Europe (with Germany split into capitalist West and communist East), the spread of communism in Asia and Latin America, and nuclear weapons proliferation.

Key events of the Cold War included the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, the Berlin Airlift, and the Space Race. The conflict saw both sides amass vast nuclear arsenals, creating constant fear of a potential nuclear war. The Cold War ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, marking the triumph of liberal democracy and capitalism in much of the world.

Korean War (1950-1953)

The Korean War (1950–1953) was a conflict between North Korea, supported by China and the Soviet Union, and South Korea, backed by the United States and United Nations forces. It began when North Korean forces invaded South Korea, aiming to unify the peninsula under communist rule. The war became part of the Cold War struggle between communism and capitalism, with heavy casualties and shifting frontlines. It ended in 1953 with an armistice, establishing a ceasefire but no formal peace treaty, leaving the Korean Peninsula divided at the 38th parallel, with North Korea as a communist state and South Korea as a capitalist republic.

Vietnam War (1962-1975)

The Vietnam War (1955–1975) was a conflict between communist North Vietnam, supported by the Soviet Union and China, and anti-communist South Vietnam, supported by the United States and other allies. It was part of the broader Cold War struggle between communism and capitalism. The war began as North Vietnam, led by Ho Chi Minh, sought to unify the country under a communist government, while the U.S. intervened to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, following the "domino theory" that if one country fell to communism, others in the region might follow.

The conflict escalated into a full-scale war with heavy U.S. military involvement, including airstrikes, ground combat, and the use of chemical defoliants like Agent Orange. Despite superior U.S. military technology, North Vietnamese forces, along with the Viet Cong (communist insurgents in the South), used guerrilla tactics and had strong local support. The war became increasingly unpopular in the U.S. due to high casualties and media coverage, and in 1973, the U.S. withdrew its forces. The war ended in 1975 with the fall of Saigon and the reunification of Vietnam under communist control.

Persian Gulf War (1990-1991)

The Persian Gulf War (1990–1991), also known as the Gulf War, was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition of forces led by the United States. The war began when Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in August 1990, aiming to control its oil reserves and access to the Persian Gulf. The invasion threatened global oil supplies and sparked international condemnation. In response, the United Nations imposed economic sanctions on Iraq and authorized the use of force to remove Iraqi forces from Kuwait.

War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

The War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) began after the 9/11 attacks, with the U.S. and NATO invading to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban, who had sheltered the terrorist group. Over two decades, the conflict became a long-term insurgency, with the Taliban regrouping and challenging Afghan government forces. The U.S. and NATO worked on counterterrorism efforts and rebuilding Afghanistan, but challenges like corruption and Taliban resurgence persisted. The war officially ended in August 2021 with the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces, and the Taliban regained control of the country.

Iraq War (2003–2011)

The Iraq War (2003–2011) was a conflict that began when the United States, along with a coalition of allies, invaded Iraq to remove Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein from power. The main justification for the invasion was the belief that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and that Hussein might use them or provide them to terrorist groups, though no such weapons were found. The U.S. also aimed to promote democracy in Iraq and stabilize the Middle East.

The invasion led to the rapid collapse of Saddam Hussein’s government, but the war quickly turned into an insurgency, with sectarian violence, the rise of militant groups like al-Qaeda in Iraq, and instability across the country. The U.S. and coalition forces struggled to maintain control and rebuild Iraq's political infrastructure. The war officially ended in 2011 with the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops, though Iraq continued to face ongoing violence and instability in the years that followed.

National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day

April 9 is the day observed to honor those veterans who have served their country while being held captive in enemy territory. The day also honors the family of the prisoners of war and their long and anxious wait to see their family again.

Andrew Davis
Andrew Davis graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2012, with his bachelor’s degree in history. He started his career in a video editing internship at SCETV’s Columbia location, and now...
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