As we prepare to wind down our year of America 250 celebrations, it is only fitting that we take November – the month we celebrate Thanksgiving – to give thanks to those who dedicated their lives to the service of our nation and remember the sacrifice paid, not just during these 250 years, but for the centuries before. Join Fairfax County Public Library throughout the month as we honor these stories through programs at our branches, free videos to stream and a list of related books to read.

Programs To Attend

Young at Heart Book Club | Herndon Fortnightly Library | Thursday, November 5 
Explore some of the amazing contemporary works being published for ages 8-14 in this book club for adults. For November, we will read Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith. 

Finding and Using U.S. World War I Military Records | City of Fairfax Regional Library | Saturday, November 7 
Discover where you can access military records from World War I and how to learn more about relatives’ service to the country.

Dreamcatchers | Sherwood Regional Library | Saturday, November 7 
Learn about the history and cultural significance of dreamcatchers and make your own to take home!

Design At Dolley – Iikááh | Dolley Madison Library | Tuesday, November 17 
Create artwork inspired by indigenous sand painting art form in this program for adults.

Indigenous People of the Potomac Region History and Beading Project | Lorton Library | November 21 
Discover the customs and values of the indigenous people of the Potomac region and the contributions they continue to make today! Explore replica tools and jewelry, then practice basic beading techniques and create a beaded charm for a keychain or earrings.

Make a Thanksgiving Tree | John Marshall Library | November 23 
Create a tree out of cardboard and add paper leaves for what you are thankful for in your life.

Discover more programs through our online events calendar. 

Free To Watch at Home with WETA+

“The Warrior Tradition” -The astonishing, heartbreaking, inspiring, and largely untold story of Native Americans in the United States military. Why would Indian men and women put their lives on the line for the very government that took their homelands? The film relates the stories of Native American warriors from their own points of view – stories of service and pain, of courage and fear.

“Veterans Coming Home” -A team of photographers, writers, and filmmakers - both veteran and civilian - are crisscrossing the country to explore the lives of post-9/11 veterans, the divide between them and their communities, and the stereotypes that veterans and civilians hold about each other. Why does this divide exist? How does it affect communities across the country? And why does it matter?

“The Land Returns” –This program chronicles a surprising new way that Indigenous nations are regaining their land: individual settlers, local governments, environmental organizations, and even corporations are returning stolen land to Indian nations as part of a growing grassroots movement of restitution and reconciliation.

“American Veteran” - A four-part documentary series tracing the veteran experience across the arc of American history and exploring the present-day divide between civilian and veteran communities. From the citizen-soldiers returning from the Revolution to today’s warrior class, it is a deeply moving story, illuminating the veteran experience and drawing civilian viewers into an unfamiliar culture.

Book Recommendations

Discover the stories behind some of America’s greatest innovations and inventions with books from our collection, selected by our team of librarians: