National Day

Veterans Day

Celebrated on 11/11/2026

Quick Fact

Veterans Day is always observed on November 11, regardless of the day of the week, to commemorate the armistice that ended World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Unlike Memorial Day, which honors fallen service members, Veterans Day celebrates all U.S. military veterans, living and deceased.

Origins and Establishment of Veterans Day

Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day, marking the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I on November 11, 1918. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day in 1919, with the observation including parades and public meetings. In 1926, Congress passed a resolution requesting that President Calvin Coolidge issue a proclamation calling for the observance of Armistice Day. It became a national holiday in 1938, dedicated to world peace and honoring the veterans of World War I.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

After World War II and the Korean War, the need to honor all veterans led to a change. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill renaming Armistice Day to Veterans Day, expanding its scope to include all U.S. military veterans. The Uniform Holiday Act of 1968 temporarily moved Veterans Day to the fourth Monday of October to create three-day weekends, but due to public confusion and opposition, it was returned to November 11 in 1975, effective in 1978. Today, Veterans Day is marked by ceremonies, parades, and the National Veterans Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, where a wreath is laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Facts & General Observations

  • Approximately 18 million veterans reside in the United States as of 2022, representing about 7% of the adult population.
  • The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operates the largest integrated healthcare system in the U.S., serving over 9 million enrolled veterans each year.
  • World War II veterans are the oldest cohort, with a median age of 95, while post-9/11 veterans make up the fastest-growing group.

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