The term "Veterans Day" is a proper noun, a compound noun phrase designating a specific federal holiday. In this grammatical construction, "Veterans" functions as a noun adjunct, modifying the primary noun "Day" to specify its purpose: the honoring of military veterans. This holiday is observed annually in the United States on November 11.
The selection of the November 11 date is historically significant. It marks the anniversary of the armistice that ended major hostilities of World War I, which took effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. The commemoration was originally established as Armistice Day. Following World War II and the Korean War, federal legislation in 1954 amended the act, changing the name to honor American veterans of all wars. Although the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 moved the observance to the fourth Monday in October to create a three-day weekend, the historical importance of the original date led to a 1975 law returning the official observance to November 11, effective in 1978.
The steadfast observance on November 11, irrespective of the day of the week, highlights the holiday's profound historical connection. Its primary purpose is to honor and thank all individuals, living or deceased, who have served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces. This broad scope of recognition for all service members distinguishes it from Memorial Day, which specifically honors those who died while in military service. National observances often include a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m., corresponding to the time the armistice was signed.
