Veterans Day is observed annually in the United States on November 11. This date is fixed and does not change from year to year. The holiday commemorates the armistice that ended the hostilities of World War I, which took effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918.
The selection of November 11 is historically significant. Initially known as Armistice Day, it was established to honor the veterans of World War I. In 1954, following World War II and the Korean War, the United States Congress amended the act, replacing "Armistice" with "Veterans" to honor American veterans of all wars. While the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 briefly moved the observance to the fourth Monday in October to create a three-day weekend for federal employees, public sentiment favored the traditional date. Consequently, President Gerald Ford signed a law in 1975 returning the official observance to November 11, effective in 1978.
Because November 11 is a fixed date, the federal holiday can occur on any day of the week. If the date falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is typically the day of observance for government offices and many businesses. If it falls on a Sunday, the observance is typically moved to the following Monday. This practice ensures that the historical significance of the date is preserved while still allowing for a designated day of recognition and closure for federal institutions.
