(NewsNation) — Veterans Day 2025 is Tuesday, Nov. 11, and it’s the 106th year the United States has celebrated.
The holiday was established in 1919 as Armistice Day — later renamed Veterans Day in 1954 — to celebrate “the war to end all wars”, World War I.
But there’s more to the story.
Why does the US celebrate Veterans Day?
The United States celebrates Veterans Day to honor those who have served in the military during battle, their patriotism and love of country.
On Nov. 11, 1918, an armistice went into effect between the Allied nations and Germany on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
And, seven months later, The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919.
A year later, President Woodrow Wilson commemorated Armistice Day, saying “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.”
In 1954, the holiday’s name was switched to Veterans Day so the U.S. could recognize veterans of all wars.
“In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all Veterans, all Veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose,” Eisenhower said.
When did Veterans Day become a national holiday?
Congress decided to declare Veterans Day a national holiday in 1938.
Was Veterans Day always on Nov. 11?
For a short period of time Veterans Day wasn’t always on Nov. 11.
In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved the celebration of the holiday to the fourth Monday in October. The law went into effect in 1971.
However, just four years later, President Gerald Ford signed a law moving federal observances back to Nov. 11.
How do Americans celebrate Veterans Day?
Starting in 1919 and still today, communities around the country hold parades celebrating war veterans.
The U.S. Postal Service doesn’t deliver the mail on that specific day, while federal courts and other government offices are closed as well.
Most banks also take the day off, as do many public schools.