Veterans Day

Veterans Day

"The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month."

The holiday, originally called Armistice Day, is celebrated on November 11 — the anniversary of the unofficial end of WWI — and honors all Americans who served in wartime or peacetime.

"Firing ceases on all fronts at 11 o'clock. My first thoughts are for the lads, no doubt many, who gave up their lives before 11. It is a pity. Celebrations immediately begin … All the factory and railroad sirens blow for a long time. Bunting and flags show from all buildings … Shops and factories close and the native population is free to make a holiday."

Pfc. Irving Greenwald, November 11, 1918

"A lot of people think it's 'Veteran's Day' or 'Veterans' Day,' but they're wrong. The holiday is not a day that 'belongs' to one veteran or multiple veterans, which is what an apostrophe implies. It's a day for honoring all veterans — so no apostrophe needed."

U.S. Department of Defense

Veterans & Memorial Days

Memorial Day honors those who lost their lives fighting for our country.

“… Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served – not only those who died – have sacrificed and done their duty,” the Department of Veterans Affairs explains.

"Honoring All Who Served"

WWI: 4.7M

WWII: 16.1M

KOREAN WAR: 5.7M

VIETNAM WAR: 8.7M

GULF WAR: 2.2M+

WAR ON TERROR: 2.8M+

History of Veterans Day

Some of our WWI allies also honor the day. Australia and Canada observe “Remembrance Day” on November 11, and Great Britain observes “Remembrance Sunday” on the Sunday closest to November 11. In these countries, many wear red poppies to honor the fallen.