Veterans Day is honored annually in the United States on November 11. This date is a fixed federal holiday, dedicated to honoring all individuals who have served in the United States Armed Forces, and it is observed on this specific date regardless of the day of the week.
The historical significance of November 11 is tied to the end of World War I. The armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. Initially commemorated as Armistice Day, the holiday was officially renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to expand its scope and honor American veterans of all wars. While the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 briefly moved the observance to October, the powerful historical connection to the armistice led to its official return to November 11 in 1978.
For observance purposes, if November 11 falls on a Saturday, the federal holiday is often recognized by government offices and many businesses on the preceding Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, the holiday is typically observed on the following Monday. It is important to distinguish Veterans Day from Memorial Day; Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day is reserved for honoring those who died while in military service.
