Veterans Day in the United States
Veterans Day is a U.S. federal holiday observed on November 11. It honors people who served honorably in the U.S. military, in wartime and peacetime, and its date recalls the armistice that halted fighting in the First World War.[1][2]
From Armistice Day to Veterans Day
The armistice between the Allied nations and Germany took effect on November 11, 1918. In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first U.S. commemoration of Armistice Day. Congress recognized the anniversary in 1926, and a 1938 law made November 11 a legal holiday called Armistice Day.[2]
In 1954, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day so the holiday would honor American veterans of all wars. A 1968 law shifted its observance to the fourth Monday in October, starting in 1971. Congress later restored November 11, beginning in 1978, and the date remains fixed regardless of the weekday.[2]
Whom the day honors
Veterans Day thanks and honors all who served honorably in the U.S. military, including those who served in peacetime. The Department of Veterans Affairs says the day is largely intended to thank living veterans, while also remembering those who died.[3]
Memorial Day has a different focus: it honors military personnel who died in service. In some countries, November 11 is marked as Remembrance Day, but the name and commemorations differ from the U.S. holiday.[3]
Ceremonies and community observances
The Department of Veterans Affairs holds a national ceremony, and communities across the country hold ceremonies on November 11. Local events can include parades or other celebrations; when the date falls on a weekday, some communities schedule these on the weekend before or after so more people can attend.[3]
The early U.S. observance of Armistice Day included parades, public meetings, and a brief suspension of business at 11 a.m. Today, event schedules are set by local organizers, so residents should check with their community for details.[2][3]
Federal status and practical effects
Federal law lists Veterans Day, November 11, among the legal public holidays. Federal employees generally receive the day off under the applicable federal holiday schedule, with special rules for employees whose work schedules differ. The holiday does not require state and local governments, schools, or private businesses to close; each may set its own schedule.[1][3]
For federal employees with a Monday-to-Friday workweek, when November 11 falls on Saturday, the preceding Friday is the in-lieu-of holiday; when it falls on Sunday, the following Monday is used. Other federal work schedules may have different in-lieu-of rules. Federal Reserve offices publish their own holiday schedule, so check with a specific bank, government office, school, shop, or transport provider before making plans.[4][5]
Frequently asked questions
When is Veterans Day?
It is observed each year on November 11, regardless of the day of the week.[1][3]
Is Veterans Day a day off?
It is a federal holiday, so federal employees generally receive the day off under the applicable work schedule. State and local offices, schools, and private businesses decide their own opening hours.[1][3]
What happens when November 11 falls on a weekend?
For federal employees with a Monday-to-Friday workweek, Saturday holidays are observed on the preceding Friday and Sunday holidays on the following Monday. Other schedules can follow different rules.[4]
Are banks, shops, and public transport open?
There is no single nationwide schedule for these services. The Federal Reserve publishes its own holiday schedule, while state and local governments and private businesses make their own closure decisions. Check with the provider before traveling or visiting.[3][5]
How is Veterans Day different from Memorial Day?
Veterans Day honors all who served honorably in the military, in wartime or peacetime. Memorial Day honors military personnel who died in service.[3]
Sources and references
Sources used for Veterans Day in United States:
- 5 USC 6103: Holidays- Office of the Law Revision Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives
- History of Veterans Day- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Veterans Day Facts and Information- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Federal Holidays - "In Lieu Of" Determination- U.S. Office of Personnel Management
- Holidays Observed - K.8- Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System