Veterans Day

Thank you for your service to our country. We join the rest of the nation on Veterans Day in remembering the sacrifices of America's 25 million veterans and expressing our appreciation for your service.

The History of Veterans Day Did you know that most Americans confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day? Both holidays celebrate our veterans service, but with one significant difference. Learn the history of Veterans Day.

These Guys Served?! Who Knew? You’d never know by looking at these four celebrities, but before they entered the limelight they all served in the U.S. military. Take a look at veterans most of America may have never known served.

7 Ways to Celebrate Veterans Day Veterans Day is a great time to educate your children, friends and family about the history of this holiday and the sacrifice and dedication of our U.S. veterans. Ways to celebrate.

Wear Your Veteran Medals Officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs are encouraging all former servicemembers to dust off their medals and wear them on Veterans Day as a show of pride and patriotism.

Veterans Day Discounts Find great Veterans Day discounts for military servicemembers. For your complete listing of military deals, discounts and coupons visit the Military.com Discount Center.

Veterans on the Reality of Combat Americans at War is a video testament that war is the court of last resort, devoid of glamour and glory, but filled with the courage of everyday Americans and their extraordinary achievements.

Support Troops Through Reconnect America Find out how you can support the men and women of our Armed Forces. Visit "Reconnect America" to find organizations who provide support to troops and our nation's military.

Tomb of the Unknowns The most notable ceremonies are wreath-laying ceremonies that take place on National holidays, such as Veteran's Day or Memorial Day, where the President lays a wreath. Learn more.

Military Pictures and Slideshows Visit the Military.com Slideshow Gallery to find a collection of slideshows paying tribute to our servicemembers. Get an inside look at the Military and those who serve.

Teams to Honor Vets With Camo Gear Maryland and South Carolina will wear uniforms with camouflage designs during their games Nov. 14 to honor military veterans and promote the Wounded Warrior Project. Learn more.

November 11, or what has come to be known as Veterans Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor Armistice Day - the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislature that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.' As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.

In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

In 1968, the Uniforms Holiday Bill ensured three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. Under this bill, Veterans Day was moved to the last Monday of October. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holiday on its original date. The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971.

Finally on September 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. Since then, the Veterans Day holiday has been observed on November 11.

Celebrating Veterans Day

If the November 11 holiday falls on a non-workday — Saturday or Sunday — the holiday is observed by the federal government on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday). Federal government closings are established by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management; a complete schedule can be found here. State and local government closings are determined locally, and non-government businesses can close or remain open as they see fit, regardless of Federal, state or local government operation determinations.

United States Senate Resolution 143, which was passed on August 4, 2001, designated the week of November 11 through November 17, 2001, as "National Veterans Awareness Week." The resolution calls for educational efforts directed at elementary and secondary school students concerning the contributions and sacrifices of veterans.

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