Congress authorized the Veterans History Project to capture the memories and stories of thousands of veterans for future generations. More than 21 million Americans served in both world wars. Six million veterans of World War II were alive in 2000. By 2016 only 620,000 World War II veterans remained, and their number is rapidly diminishing.
General Records of the U.S. Government, National Archives and Records Administration
Veterans’ Oral History Project Act, October 27, 2000
The Veterans History Project
Seeking to preserve the compelling stories and experiences of American war veterans, Congress passed the Veterans’ Oral History Project Act in 2000. The act created the Veterans History Project (VHP) at the Library of Congress, which collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans, so that future generations can hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. To date, the VHP has archived more than 100,000 individual collections from veterans of both world wars, as well as 15 subsequent military conflicts.
It is in the Nation’s best interest to collect and catalog oral histories of American war veterans so that . . . Americans will always remember those who served in war and may learn first-hand of the heroics, tediousness, horrors, and triumphs of war.
Veterans’ Oral History Project Act, October 27, 2000
Congress authorized the Veterans History Project to capture the memories and stories of thousands of veterans for future generations. More than 21 million Americans served in both world wars. Six million veterans of World War II were alive in 2000. By 2016 only 620,000 World War II veterans remained, and their number is rapidly diminishing.
General Records of the U.S. Government, National Archives and Records Administration
