Veterans Day is an official United States federal holiday observed annually on November 11th to honor military veterans, that is, persons who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The day coincides with other national holidays including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which commemorate the end of the First World War, although these holidays are not exactly the same in their focus or celebration.
Originally known as Armistice Day, Veterans Day was first celebrated on November 11, 1919, to commemorate the armistice between the Allied nations and Germany that ended hostilities on the Western Front of World War I, which occurred at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. In 1926, the United States Congress passed a resolution for an annual observance, and November 11 became a national holiday in 1938.
However, after World War II and the Korean War, veterans of these wars felt that the holiday was too narrow in its focus. In 1954, following a campaign by veterans' service organizations, the 83rd U.S. Congress amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With this legislation, Veterans Day became a day to honor all American veterans of all wars.
In the mid-1960s, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which aimed to create three-day weekends for federal employees by moving several holidays to Mondays. Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday in October. However, this change was unpopular with many states and veterans' groups, leading to confusion. In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed a law returning the observance to November 11, effective from 1978.
Veterans Day is marked by various activities and is intended to thank all military personnel who served the country in wars or peacetime. It is not to be confused with Memorial Day, which honors those who died while serving. On this day, the President traditionally issues a proclamation urging Americans to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, and to honor those who have served in the U.S. military.