Veterans Day is a United States federal holiday observed annually on November 11th. This date is fixed and does not change from year to year, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls.
The date holds significant historical importance, marking the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I on November 11, 1918. Originally proclaimed as Armistice Day to honor the veterans of that conflict, the holiday was officially renamed in 1954 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, the profound historical significance of the original date led to legislation returning the official observance to November 11th, effective in 1978.
The observance on a fixed date is a key distinction from many other U.S. federal holidays. While holidays like Memorial Day or Labor Day are set on a specific Monday, the commemoration of Veterans Day is tied directly to the historical event of the armistice. If November 11th falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal government and many businesses may observe the holiday with a day off on the preceding Friday or the following Monday, but the official ceremonies and remembrance activities remain centered on the 11th itself.
