In the United States, the federal holiday honoring military veterans is observed annually on November 11th. This date is designated to pay tribute to all individuals who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, acknowledging their contributions and sacrifices for the country.
The holiday's origin is tied to the armistice that ended World War I, which took effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Initially established as Armistice Day in 1938 to honor the veterans of that conflict, its scope was broadened by an act of Congress in 1954. Following the large-scale mobilizations of World War II and the Korean War, lawmakers amended the act, renaming the holiday to honor American veterans of all wars. Although the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 temporarily shifted the observance, its date was officially returned to November 11th in 1978 to preserve its profound historical significance.
This observance is distinct from Memorial Day, which specifically honors service members who died while in military service. The November 11th date is fixed, but for federal observance purposes, if it falls on a Saturday, the holiday is often observed on the preceding Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, it is typically observed on the following Monday. This practice allows for a public day of recognition while maintaining the historical integrity of the date itself.
