Date
Monday
Nov
11

November 11

Veterans Day

Honor our veterans on Veterans Day - thank them for their service and show your appreciation with acts of kindness, donations, and more!

Yearly Date
November 11
Type
Day
Category
Federal

Introduction

Veterans Day is the perfect time to recognize and thank our brave men and women for their service on Nov. 11. First celebrated in 1919 as Armistice Day, this important day marks the signing of armistice between Germany and Allied forces which took place at 11 a.m. on November 11th, 1918 — marking an end to World War I. It was officially changed to Veterans Day in 1954 when Congress amended it so that all those who served could be recognized with a special day of honor each year!

Veterans Day Timeline

1919
First Armistice Day
One year after the end of World War I, President Woodrow Wilson proclaims November 11 as Armistice Day to honor those who served.
1921
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is established at Arlington National Cemetery, further marking November 11 as a day to honor our veterans.
1926
Congressional Recognition
Congress passes a concurrent resolution formally making Armistice Day a holiday. It was still, at this point, primarily in honor of World War I veterans.
1938
Legal Holiday Establishment
Armistice Day is officially recognized as a legal holiday dedicated to the cause of world peace.
1954
Transition to Veterans Day
Following World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day as a way to honor all veterans, not just those from World War I.
1971
Uniform Holiday Bill
Under this act, Veterans Day was briefly moved to the fourth Monday in October but was returned to November 11 in 1978 due to public preference.

How to Celebrate Veterans Day

1

Attend a parade

Check out the local paper and see if there's a Veterans Day parade in your area. This is a great way to show your appreciation for veterans.

2

Send a card

Write a card or letter of appreciation to a veteran you may know, or look up ones in your area through organizations like VFW and American Legion and send them one.

3

Fly a flag

Display an American flag to honor those who have served our country. Make sure that it is properly displayed with the blue field of stars toward the top.

4

Visit a memorial

Visit a local war memorial or veterans cemetery and pay your respects to those who have given their lives for our freedom.

5

Volunteer

If you want to do something more than saying thank you, volunteer some of your time at an organization that supports veterans such as Wounded Warrior Project, Operation Homefront, or the USO.

Why Veterans Day is Important

A

It recognizes the sacrifices of veterans

Veterans Day is an important day because it recognizes and honors the brave members of our military who have sacrificed so much to protect our country and defend our freedoms. It’s a day to pay tribute to those who fought for our way of life and gave everything they had in service to the nation.

B

It sets aside time for reflection

Veterans Day is also a time for people to reflect on the courage and dedication of our nation's veterans. It's an opportunity to take a step back from everyday life and think about the incredible acts of bravery that took place in order to preserve the American ideals we hold dear as citizens.

C

It helps us appreciate and celebrate culture

Finally, Veterans Day helps us appreciate different cultures by honoring men and women from all walks of life - regardless of their race, religion or political affiliations. From each individual veteran, we can learn more about courage, commitment and what it means to be brave - values that are just as crucial today as they were many years ago.

Veterans Day Dates

Year
Date
Day
2023
Nov 10
Friday
2024
Nov 10
Sunday
2025
Nov 10
Monday
2026
Nov 10
Tuesday
2027
Nov 10
Wednesday