Veterans Day invites us to honor the courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of those who served in defense of our nation. One meaningful way to pay tribute is by visiting historic battlefields and military sites where the fight for America’s freedom and prosperity unfolded. From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War, these five sites mark pivotal moments in U.S. history and offer a glimpse into the courage and sacrifice that built the nation.

To enrich these visits, the Heritage Guide to Historic Sites serves as a valuable resource for Americans to engage more deeply with these sites. The recently released Guide features expert evaluations of key historic sites across the country, beginning with the 13 original colonies.

Using this guide will deepen your appreciation for the sacrifices made at these historic military sites this Veterans Day.

Yorktown Battlefield (Yorktown, Virginia)

One of the most significant battles of this nation, the Battle of Yorktown was the final major battle of the American Revolution securing American Independence. The success began with allied French Admiral Comte de Grasse defeating the British navy in the Battle of the Capes. Following that, the Battle of Yorktown concluded with Lord Cornwallis surrendering his army to General George Washington and French General Comte de Rochambeau.

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (Baltimore, Maryland)

Fort McHenry was the central site of the Battle of Baltimore, a pivotal episode of the War of 1812. Contrary to popular belief, it was this battle—rather than the American Revolution—that inspired our national anthem. During the British bombardment of Fort McHenry, the Maryland lawyer Francis Scott Key watched from a nearby ship. Key was inspired to write the “Defence of Fort M’Henry” after witnessing the American flag still flying above the fort at dawn. The poem, later set to music, became known as “The Star-Spangled Banner” and was formally declared the U.S. national anthem in 1931.

Fort Sumter (Charleston, South Carolina)

Following Abraham Lincoln’s election as president in November 1860, South Carolina would become the first state to secede from Union. It was at Fort Sumter that the first shots of the Civil War were fired, beginning the deadliest war in our country’s history. Union soldiers occupying the fort were eventually forced to surrender after two days of Confederate bombardment. While there were no casualties during the battle, a canon misfire during the surrender ceremony claimed the lives of two Union soldiers.

Antietam National Battlefield (Sharpsburg, Maryland)

The Battle of Antietam, one of the most important battles in the Civil War, was also the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. Nearly 23,000 soldiers, both Confederate and Union, were either killed, missing, or wounded. The Union lost more men but won a strategic victory. While General Robert E. Lee’s army was not destroyed, the Confederates were forced to retreat. This gave President Lincoln the assurance to issue the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in states that had seceded would be freed at the start of 1863 if those states did not return to the Union.

Gettysburg National Military Park (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)

The Battle of Gettysburg marked a key turning point in the Civil War. The Confederate Army had achieved a series of victories prior to this point, and Lee hoped a second invasion in the North would secure an independent confederacy and bring the war to an end. However, the battle ended in a Union victory, which changed the course of the war. The three-day battle resulted in over 51,000 combined casualties, making it the deadliest battle in American history. Lincoln later delivered his Gettysburg Address at this site, stating: “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.”

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