Overview
Veterans Day is an official United States holiday that honors people who have served in armed service. It is a federal holiday observed on November 11. Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day; Veterans Day celebrates the service of all veterans, while Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving.
Details
Veterans Day was first celebrated as Armistice Day, as proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919. Its main purpose was to honor those soldiers who had died in World War I. However, at the urging of veterans service organizations, President Dwight Eisenhower worked to expand Armistice Day to honor all veterans, not just those who died in World War I. In 1954, “Armistice” was replaced with “Veterans” and has been known that way since. However, Armistice Day and Remembrance Day (holidays that mark the anniversary of World War I) are celebrated in other parts of the world on November 11.
Trivia
- There are over 22 million war veterans in the United States.
- National Veterans Day celebrations center around the Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery, where guards are changed every thirty minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Celebrating Suggestions
- Offer specials, discounts or even free services or meals for veterans and active duty military.
- Volunteer your time or services to local veterans’ organizations.
Check out our Marketing Holiday Calendar for more dates to celebrate!
