Veterans Day is observed this weekend as a day of remembrance for all those who have served in the armed forces, both past and present.
The holiday, formerly known as Armistice Day, has been observed since the end of World War I and was added to the list of federal holidays that the US government currently recognizes in the 1930s.
Veterans Day is intended to honor veterans of all wars, even though it was first observed following World War I.
Here are some details about the approaching Veterans Day in 2023, including the date, time, and purpose of the celebration.
Regardless of the day of the week it falls on, Veterans Day is observed on November 11 each year.
This year, however, it falls on a Saturday, so many government services will be closed on Friday, Nov. 10, the day before, in observance of the federal holiday. On Friday, a lot of businesses and schools will be closed in observance of the holiday.
Veterans Day was not formerly known as the day of remembrance on November 11th. Originally observed as “Armistice Day,” it commemorated the day in 1918 when hostilities in World War I came to an end.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Armistice Day was originally observed to honor World War I veterans and was declared an official holiday by Congress in 1938. To honor veterans of all American wars, the word “armistice” was changed to “veterans” in 1954, following both World War II and the Korean War.
Veterans Day was observed on a different date a few times over the years, but by 1978, President Gerald Ford had restored it to its custom of being observed on November 11.
Veterans Day and Memorial Day have different purposes in addition to being observed in two different months.
Every year on May the last Monday, Memorial Day is observed as a way to remember and pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed their lives for their nation. Veterans Day, observed in November, pays tribute to all veterans—living or deceased—who have fought in any conflict, past or present.
