Veterans Day 2024

You already know why Veterans Day is important. You are the service members, veterans or family and friends of veterans who stay up-to-date on military news, pay, benefits, fitness and veteran jobs.

Veterans Day -- originally called Armistice Day -- began as an occasion to reflect upon the heroism of those who died in our country's service. It falls on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I.

In 1954, the name of the holiday was changed from "Armistice Day" to "Veterans Day" in order to recognize veterans of all wars.

We celebrate and honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Veterans Day is a time for us to pay our respects to those who have served. For one day, we stand united in respect for you, our veterans.

How Veterans Day is Celebrated

Veterans Day is celebrated across the U.S. with a variety of events to honor and recognize the service of military veterans.

Each year on November 11, there is a prominent Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, where the president traditionally lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

National Ceremonies

In addition to the wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery, several other prominent national Veterans Day ceremonies take place across the United States, including:

National World War II Memorial: Located in Washington, D.C., this memorial hosts an annual ceremony featuring speeches by dignitaries and veterans, as well as a wreath-laying event to honor those who served during World War II.
Veterans Day National Ceremony: Also held at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., this event includes the traditional reading of the names of veterans who have passed away in the last year, along with musical tributes and speeches.
California's Veterans Day Ceremony: Held at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, this ceremony features a program that includes musical performances, speeches from state officials, and a wreath-laying ceremony to honor California veterans.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial: This memorial in Washington, D.C., hosts special ceremonies that often include the reading of names of fallen soldiers and other tributes to Vietnam veterans, emphasizing remembrance and reflection.

These ceremonies serve to honor and remember the sacrifices of veterans, providing opportunities for reflection.

Parades and Local Events

Communities large and small across the United States host parades, ceremonies, speeches, wreath-laying events, concerts, and military displays for Veterans Day. Organizations including schools often hold programs featuring veterans as guest speakers.

Virtual Events

For Veterans Day, many events across the U.S. are now livestreamed, especially since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, allowing people to participate from anywhere. Virtual options allow more inclusivity and accessibility.

Some of the national ceremonies, such as the one held at Arlington National Cemetery, are often live-streamed, providing viewers the opportunity to witness the wreath-laying and other tributes. Additionally, many local communities, schools, and organizations use YouTube, Zoom or social media platforms to host virtual events like webinars, panel discussions with veterans, and online tributes that feature video montages, speeches, and concerts.

How to Honor Veterans on Veterans Day

Veterans Day is a time to honor and thank those who have served in the military for their sacrifices and dedication. It's an important day to show appreciation.

You might consider writing a heartfelt letter or spending time with a veteran, listening to their stories and sharing their experiences. Volunteering at a local veterans' organization or donating to nonprofits that support veterans' health and well-being can also make a meaningful impact. Even simple acts like attending a Veterans Day ceremony or flying the American flag show respect and solidarity.

Your efforts can help veterans feel valued and supported, not just on this day, but throughout the year.

Attending Events

Attend a Veterans Day event in your area -- not just a picnic with friends but an honest-to-goodness parade or service for veterans. Roy Rogers said, "We can't all be heroes; someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by." Veterans Day is a great opportunity to do just that.

Volunteering with a Veterans Organization

Volunteering with veteran organizations is a great way to give back to those who have served. You could visit veterans in hospitals or retirement homes to provide much-needed companionship and conversation, especially to elderly or disabled veterans who may feel isolated.

For those with professional skills, you could help out in areas like legal advice, financial counseling, or job search assistance for those veterans who are transitioning to civilian life.

Showing Your Support for Veterans

Or you can simply look around your neighborhood, social group or place of worship to identify veterans who could use a hand with home maintenance tasks, such as yard work, painting or minor repairs, particularly for those who may face physical challenges.

Saying "thank you" to a veteran could even be as simple as taking part in charity walks, gift drives or dinners; offering a veteran a ride to the grocery store or appointment; or sending care packages. There are countless ways to contribute, whether through hands-on help, offering expertise, or simply being there for veterans when they need it most.

Is Veterans Day the Same Day Every Year?

When first celebrated as Armistice Day, the day marked the end of WWI, formally recognized on the "11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month" in 1918.

Today we continue to celebrate the day as Veterans Day, still recognizing the original tie with November 11. That means Veterans Day is November 11 every year. If it falls on a weekend, some governments and businesses may recognize it on both the official day and the following Monday.

Is Veterans Day a Federal Holiday?

Veterans Day is a federal holiday, a bank holiday and, in most states, a state holiday. That means federal employees, including military members, are typically given the day off and, in most states, state workers are as well.

Related: How to Spot a Veteran

Do schools close on Veterans Day?

Many schools do close on Veterans Day. Public school holidays are set by local school boards, while private school holidays are set by private officials. State and private school college holidays are set much the same way. Check with your local school to confirm its calendar.

Inspirational Veterans Day Quotes

Inspirational Veterans Day quotes are a meaningful way to honor the service and sacrifice of military veterans. They often focus on themes like courage, patriotism, and gratitude, helping to remind us of the dedication and resilience of those who serve.

"In war, using their native language, they relayed secret messages that turned the course of battle. At home, they carried for decades the secret of their own heroism." - President George W. Bush (said in 2001 while honoring Native American Code Talkers, who played a crucial role during World War II.)
"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived." -- George S. Patton, a prominent U.S. Army general during World War II.
"The unparalleled perseverance of the armies of the United States, through almost every possible suffering and discouragement for the space of eight long years, was little short of a standing miracle." -- General (and future President) George Washington as he praised American forces' perseverance despite hardships during the Revolutionary War.
"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." -- Joseph Campbell, mythologist
"The nicest veterans ... the kindest and funniest ones, the ones who hated war the most, were the ones who'd really fought." -- author Kurt Vonnegut, 1969, in "Slaughterhouse-Five."

5 Things You Don't Know About Veterans Day

1. It's "Veterans Day," not "Veteran's Day." The holiday has no apostrophe because it is meant to honor all veterans, not just a single veteran or belonging to veterans collectively. The day is for recognizing the service and sacrifice of veterans as a group. This distinction reflects the inclusive and national focus of the holiday.

2. At one point, Veterans Day used to be celebrated on the fourth Monday of October instead of November 11. In the late 1960s, Congress passed a law intended to stimulate the economy by adding more three-day weekends. They thought it would help encourage travel and other recreation. Under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day and Veterans Day were all on Mondays.

But many states disagreed with the choice, especially since Veterans Day was designated as November 11 for historic reasons. So in September 1975, President Gerald Ford signed a law returning Veterans Day to November 11, starting in 1978.

3. Armistice Day was recast as Veterans Day in 1954. After World War II and the Korean War, there was a growing recognition that the day should honor all veterans, not just those from WWI.

4. Marines celebrate their service birthday and Veterans Day with a 96-hour liberty. Veterans Day comes just one day after the Marine Corps birthday on November 10. Typically celebrated with a ball and cake-cutting ceremony, the birthday celebration offers enlisted Marines a 96-hour liberty to mark both holidays together.

5. A group once campaigned to rename Armistice Day as "Mayflower Day." When "the war to end all wars" failed to do so, a small group of Ameircans led by Francis Carr Stifler of the American Bible Society proposed the "Mayflower Day" idea. They argued that the signing of the Mayflower Compact, on November 11, 1620, was more appropriate to honor, since that agreement was the foundation upon which the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights stood. The idea gained little traction.