Veterans Day is a United States federal holiday observed annually on November 11. The date is fixed and does not change from year to year, honoring all military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The historical significance of November 11 dates back to the end of World War I, which formally ceased on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. Originally known as Armistice Day, the holiday was established to honor the veterans of that conflict. In 1954, following World War II and the Korean War, the U.S. Congress amended the act by replacing "Armistice" with "Veterans," thereby expanding the holiday's scope to honor American veterans of all wars. For a brief period from 1971 to 1977, the observance was moved to the fourth Monday in October under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, but it was returned to its original November 11 date in 1978 due to the date's profound historical importance.
In practice, when November 11 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal government and many organizations observe the holiday on the adjacent weekday. If the date is a Saturday, the holiday is often observed on the preceding Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, it is typically observed on the following Monday. It is important to distinguish this holiday from Memorial Day, which is observed in May to specifically honor military personnel who died in service to their country.
