Veterans Day is a United States federal holiday observed annually on November 11th. It honors military veterans, that is, persons who served in the United States Armed Forces. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other countries that mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. At the urging of major U.S. veteran organizations, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.
Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day, a U.S. holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day honors those who died while in military service. Another similar but distinct holiday is Armed Forces Day, a minor U.S. holiday celebrated on the third Saturday in May to thank currently serving military members for their service in the Armed Forces.
Determining if today is Veterans Day requires checking the current date. If today is November 11th, then it is Veterans Day. However, if November 11th falls on a weekend, the observed federal holiday may be shifted to the closest weekday. Federal law dictates that if a holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on the preceding Friday, and if it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. This ensures that federal employees receive their entitled holiday leave.
Consulting a calendar or searching online for “Is Today Veterans Day?” will provide a definitive answer. Many websites and online tools provide up-to-date information on current and upcoming holidays. Checking a reliable source for holiday information will always provide the correct answer. Remember to thank a veteran for their service if today is indeed Veterans Day.
