The subject of the interrogative phrase is "Veterans Day," which functions as a proper noun. This U.S. federal holiday is observed annually on November 11. The date is fixed and does not change from year to year. Its purpose is to honor the service of all individuals who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
The significance of the November 11 date is historical, originating from the armistice that ended World War I. The agreement was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Initially celebrated as Armistice Day, the holiday was officially renamed in 1954 by an act of Congress, which was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. This change broadened the holiday's scope to honor veterans of all American wars, not just the First World War. Although the Uniform Monday Holiday Act briefly moved its observance to a Monday in October, public sentiment and the date's historical importance led to its return to the fixed November 11 observance in 1978.
Practically, the holiday's observance on a fixed date means that if November 11 falls on a weekday, federal government offices and many schools are closed. If it falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is typically treated as the holiday for federal purposes; if it falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed. It is important to distinguish this observance from Memorial Day; Veterans Day celebrates all who have served, both living and deceased, while Memorial Day specifically honors military personnel who have died in the line of duty.
