Veterans Day is observed annually in the United States on November 11th. This date is fixed and does not change from year to year, distinguishing it from other federal holidays that are designated to fall on a particular Monday of a month.
The selection of this specific date is historically significant, originating as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I, which formally ceased on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. Congress officially recognized it as a national holiday in 1938. In 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all wars. While the Uniform Monday Holiday Act briefly moved its observance to the fourth Monday in October starting in 1971, strong public sentiment for the historical importance of the November 11th date led to legislation being signed in 1975 that returned the official observance to its original date, effective in 1978.
The consistent observance on November 11th reinforces its historical connection to the end of World War I and provides a single, solemn day for reflection. In practice, if the date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal government and many organizations may observe the holiday on the preceding Friday or the following Monday, respectively. However, the commemorative ceremonies and the official date of remembrance remain fixed on November 11th itself.
