Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Veterans Day is a federal holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars and held annually on November 11. Veterans Day 2026 occurs on Wednesday, November 11.

The holiday dates to November 1918 during World War I. At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of that year, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany. Commemorated the following year as Armistice Day in many countries, November 11 became a federal holiday in the United States in 1938.

In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became known as Veterans Day.

From Armistice Day to Veterans Day

America’s war effort during World War II saw the greatest mobilization of the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force in the nation’s history (more than 16 million people); some 5.7 million more served in the Korean War. In 1954, after lobbying efforts by veterans’ service organizations, the 83rd U.S. Congress amended the 1938 act that had made Armistice Day a holiday, striking the word “Armistice” in favor of “Veterans” to recognize soldiers from these major wars. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the legislation on June 1, 1954. From then on, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Why Is Veterans Day on November 11?

Veterans Day is observed every November 11 in recognition of the World War I armistice that began on November 11, 1918.

During the 1970s, the date of Veterans Day did briefly changed. The switch was the result of the 1968 Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which sought to ensure three-day weekends for federal employees—and encourage tourism and travel—by celebrating four national holidays (Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Columbus Day) on Mondays.

The observation of Veterans Day was set as the fourth Monday in October. The first Veterans Day under the new law was Monday, October 25, 1971; confusion ensued, as many states disapproved of this change and continued to observe the holiday on its original date.

In 1975, after it became evident that the actual date of Veterans Day carried historical and patriotic significance to many Americans, President Gerald Ford signed a new law returning the observation of Veterans Day to November 11 beginning in 1978.

If November 11 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal government observes the holiday on the previous Friday or following Monday, respectively. Most local, state and federal government offices are closed on Veterans Day.