An act of Congress on May 13, 1938, first established November 11th as a legal federal holiday, at that time named "Armistice Day," to honor veterans of World War I. The holiday was officially renamed Veterans Day on June 1, 1954, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation to amend the 1938 act, expanding the day's purpose to recognize and honor American veterans of all wars.
The historical precedent for the holiday was the armistice that ended World War I on November 11, 1918. The initial 1938 legislation (52 Stat. 351) designated the day as one "to be dedicated to the cause of world peace." Following the extensive mobilization for World War II and the Korean War, veterans' service organizations advocated for a more inclusive commemoration. This led to the passage of Public Law 380 in 1954, which struck the word "Armistice" from the original act and inserted "Veterans." A subsequent law, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968, moved the observance to the fourth Monday in October to create a three-day weekend, a change that took effect in 1971.
The detachment of the holiday from its historically significant date of November 11th was met with widespread public disapproval. Many states continued to observe the day on its original date. In response, Congress passed Public Law 94-97, which President Gerald R. Ford signed on September 20, 1975. This law returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to November 11th, with the change becoming effective in 1978. This final legislative step solidified the date and confirmed the holiday's meaning as a day to honor all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
