Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, is a tribute to military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Not to be confused with Memorial Day, which honors those who died while in service, Veterans Day honors all military veterans, including those still with us.
Did you know?
The federal holiday is observed on Nov. 11, the day World War I ended in 1918.
A year later, President Woodrow Wilson celebrated what was initially known as Armistice Day for the first time. But it wasn’t until 1938 that Congress recognized it as an official federal holiday.
In 1954, the holiday’s name was changed to Veterans Day to honor the veterans of all wars the U.S. has fought. Some communities carry an outsized share of that history, like the small Virginia town with the nation’s highest known per capita D-Day loss. In France and elsewhere in Europe, the day continues to be known as Armistice Day.
It’s “Veterans Day,” not “Veteran’s Day.” It could seem like a silly grammar choice – but it’s not. The Department of Veterans Affairs notes that Veterans Day is a day to recognize the veterans with us. “Veteran’s Day” with an apostrophe would instead be a day that belongs to veterans.
In the United States, an official wreath-laying ceremony is held each Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. In contrast, parades and other celebrations are held in states around the country.
Veterans Day is a time for us to pay our respects to those who have served. For one day, we stand united in respect for you, our veterans.
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