The keyword term is an interrogative clause where the central subject, "Veterans Day," functions as a proper noun. In the United States, this federal holiday is observed annually on a fixed date: November 11. This date remains constant each year, irrespective of the day of the week on which it falls, a characteristic that differentiates it from several federal holidays observed on a designated Monday of a month.
The selection of November 11 is historically significant. The holiday originated as Armistice Day, first proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I, which concluded with an armistice on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. In 1954, after the nation had fought in World War II and the Korean War, Congress amended the legislation, changing the name to Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all wars. Although the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 briefly moved the observance to the fourth Monday in October, widespread public sentiment for the historical date led to legislation in 1975 that returned the official observance to November 11, effective in 1978.
The consistent observance on November 11 directly links the holiday to its historical genesis and the end of World War I. For practical purposes, when the date falls on a non-workday, the public holiday is adjusted for government and many business operations. If November 11 occurs on a Saturday, the holiday is typically observed on the preceding Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, the observance is moved to the following Monday, allowing for a designated day to honor the nation's veterans.
