Veterans Day, a proper noun designating a federal holiday in the United States, is observed annually on November 11. The date is a fixed point in the calendar, chosen for its historical significance rather than its position within the week.
The selection of November 11 originates from the armistice that ended World War I, which went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Initially commemorated as Armistice Day, the holiday was officially renamed Veterans Day in 1954 by an act of Congress. This change was enacted to honor American veterans of all wars, expanding the holiday's scope beyond its original World War I context. Although the Uniform Monday Holiday Act briefly moved its observance to the fourth Monday in October starting in 1971, public sentiment and the historical weight of the original date prompted a return to the fixed November 11 observance in 1978.
The fixed nature of the date affects its practical observance. When November 11 falls on a non-workday, the federal government adjusts the paid holiday for its employees. If the date occurs on a Saturday, the holiday is typically observed on the preceding Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, the observance is moved to the following Monday. This practice ensures a designated day of recognition while preserving the historical integrity of the November 11 date itself.
