Veterans Day

Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11th in the United States, honors all military veterans who have served in the country's armed forces, both during wartime and peacetime. The date traces its origins to Armistice Day, commemorating the armistice that ended fighting in World War I, which took effect at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed the observance in 1919 to honor the sacrifices of those who served, and Congress made it a federal holiday in 1938, initially focused specifically on World War I veterans. Following World War II and the Korean War, Congress amended the observance in 1954 to honor all American veterans of all wars, renaming it Veterans Day at the urging of veterans service organizations. Unlike Memorial Day, which specifically honors service members who died in military service, Veterans Day celebrates and thanks all who have served, living or deceased, recognizing their contributions and sacrifices in defense of the nation. The holiday briefly moved to the fourth Monday of October under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act before being restored to its traditional November 11th date in 1978 due to the historical and symbolic significance of the original armistice date. Veterans Day is observed nationwide with parades, memorial ceremonies, moments of silence, and public expressions of gratitude toward veterans and active-duty service members.