In the United States, Veterans Day is a federal holiday observed annually on November 11. The date is fixed and does not change from year to year, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls.
The historical significance of the November 11 date is tied to the end of World War I. An armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. The day was originally commemorated as Armistice Day to honor veterans of World War I. In 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, the U.S. Congress amended the holiday's designation to "Veterans Day" to honor American veterans of all wars. While the date itself is fixed, if November 11 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal government and many organizations may observe the public holiday on the preceding Friday or the following Monday.
The purpose of Veterans Day is to honor and thank all military personnel who have served in the United States Armed Forces, with a particular focus on celebrating living veterans. This distinguishes it from Memorial Day, which is dedicated to remembering those who died while in military service. Veterans Day is marked by ceremonies, parades, and other observances across the country to acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices of U.S. veterans.
