Veterans Day is a federal holiday dedicated to honoring and expressing gratitude to military veterans, who are individuals who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day, another U.S. federal holiday in May, which specifically honors those who died while serving in the military.

Table of Contents

1. When is Veterans Day?
2. The History of Veterans Day?
3. What Do People Do on This Day?
4. The Armistice of November 11, 1918

When is Veterans Day?

Veterans Day is observed annually on November 11 in the United States. The date is significant because it marks the anniversary of the end of World War I; major hostilities of the war were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect.

The following is the list of Veterans Day in the United States.

The History of Veterans Day?

The history of Veterans Day in the United States is deeply rooted in the aftermath of World War I. The major hostilities of the war were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Allies and Germany put into effect an armistice.

President Woodrow Wilson first commemorated the end of World War I in 1919, marking November 11 as Armistice Day. This was initially a day to honor the veterans of World War I. The scope of Armistice Day changed after World War II and the Korean War, with an increased urgency to honor all veterans, not just those who died in World War I.

In 1954, after lobbying by veterans' service organizations, Congress amended the commemoration by changing the word "Armistice" to "Veterans." President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed this legislation, officially changing the name to Veterans Day. Veterans Day became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

In 1968, the Uniform Holiday Bill was passed by Congress, which moved the celebration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. However, this change was not popular. In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed a law which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This change was made in recognition of the historical significance of the date.

What Do People Do on This Day?

On Veterans Day, people in the United States engage in various activities to honor and remember military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Here are five common ways to celebrate:

• Ceremonies and Parades: Many cities and towns hold Veterans Day parades and ceremonies. These events often include speeches, laying wreaths, and military displays. The National Veterans Day Ceremony, for instance, is held each year at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony centers around the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and is intended to honor and thank all who served in the U.S. armed forces.
• Visiting War Memorials and Cemeteries: People often visit war memorials and cemeteries to pay their respects to the deceased veterans. It's common to leave flowers, flags, and other tributes at the graves of veterans.
• Moment of Silence: A moment of silence is often observed at 11 a.m. to remember those who served.
• Displaying the Flag: It's common for American flags to be displayed at homes and public buildings as a show of patriotism and support for veterans.
• Educational Programs: Schools and other educational institutions often organize programs and activities to educate students about the significance of Veterans Day. This may include veteran guest speakers, assemblies, and history lessons focused on the contributions and sacrifices of veterans.

Veterans Day is more about honoring and thanking those who have served rather than memorializing the fallen, which is the primary focus of Memorial Day. It's a day for Americans to come together and show gratitude for the sacrifices made by their military service members.

The Armistice of November 11, 1918

The Armistice of November 11, 1918 is a significant historical event that marked the end of fighting on land, sea, and air in World War I between the Allies and their opponent, Germany. This armistice was the culmination of a series of events and was an important moment in world history.

World War I, had been raging since 1914, involved many of the world's great powers and was one of the deadliest conflicts in history. By 1918, the Allied forces had begun to gain the upper hand, particularly after the entry of the United States into the war in 1917.

The German government, faced with military defeats and economic hardship, sought an armistice. The armistice negotiations took place in a railway carriage in the Forest of Compiegne in northern France. The armistice was signed by French Marshal Ferdinand Foch, the Supreme Allied Commander, and representatives of Germany.

The agreement called for a cessation of hostilities on the Western Front. Germany agreed to evacuate occupied territories, surrender military equipment, and release prisoners of war. The Allied naval blockade of Germany would continue until a formal peace treaty was signed.

The armistice effectively ended World War I, marking a victory for the Allies and a defeat for Germany, albeit not formally a surrender. The armistice was signed at 5:45 AM on November 11 but came into effect at 11 AM, the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918.

November 11th became known as Armistice Day, a day to commemorate the end of World War I. It is now observed as Veterans Day in the United States, Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth countries, and Armistice Day in France and Belgium.