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What is Veterans Day? What you need to know before the holidays

Vaseline November 9, 2024

Next Monday is Veterans Day, the annual federal holiday that celebrates and commemorates everyone who has served in the military, both in wartime and peacetime.

The day has been celebrated in some form since 1919, when then-President Woodrow Wilson commemorated the first anniversary of the Armistice in World War I and said, “For us in America, the reflections on Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in our armistice . the heroism of those who died in the service of the country and with gratitude for the victory, both for what it has freed us from and for the opportunity it has given America to demonstrate her sympathy for peace and justice in the councils of the United Nations. nations.”

It was officially recognized as a federal holiday in 1938 and became known as Veterans Day in 1954.

Veterans Day is celebrated every year on November 11, the day the armistice was signed that ended World War I, regardless of which day it falls.

When is Veterans Day celebrated in 2024?

Veterans Day falls on a Monday this year, meaning federal employees will celebrate the federal holiday that day and many non-essential government services will be closed.

Many schools and companies are also closed on Monday due to the holiday. Most shops and eateries traditionally remain open and often offer discounts to military veterans.

What was Veterans Day originally called?

The day was first recognized by Congress in 1926 and became an official holiday in 1938, when it was known as “Armistice Day” and was primarily intended to celebrate World War I veterans.

In 1954, after both World War II and the Korean War, the word “armistice” was changed to “veterans” to honor veterans of all American wars. The day celebrating Veterans Day was moved a few times over the years, but President Gerald Ford moved it back to the annual celebration on November 11 in 1978.

Is Veterans Day different from Memorial Day?

Besides being celebrated in two different months, the purpose of Veterans Day and Memorial Day are different.

Memorial Day is celebrated every year on the last Monday in May and is intended to honor all who have served their country and given their lives. Veterans Day is in November and honors all veterans, both living and dead, who have served in times of war and peace.

Max Hauptman is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. He can be reached at [email protected]