Veterans Day is always observed officially on November 11, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls. This year, it falls on Saturday. The Veterans Day National Ceremony, like most ceremonies around the nation, is held on Veterans Day itself. However, when Veterans Day falls on a weekday, many communities choose to hold Veterans Day parades or other celebrations on the weekend before or after November 11 so that more people can participate.
Veterans Day does not include an apostrophe but does include an “s” at the end of “veterans” because it is not a day that “belongs” to veterans, it is a day for honoring all veterans.
The annual day of remembrance for veterans has been around since after World War I, where it was first named Armistice Day. It became one of 10 federally recognized holidays in the 1930s. Veterans Day is often honored by parades and memorial services both locally and nationally, and many businesses offer special deals to veterans.
Here’s what to know about Veterans Day as a federal holiday.
Many schools and companies will also be closed today in observation of Veterans Day.
What was Veterans Day originally called?
The Nov. 11 day of remembrance wasn’t always known as Veterans Day. It was first known as “Armistice Day,” marking the day that fighting ceased in World War I in 1918.
Armistice Day was recognized as an official holiday by Congress in 1938, first used to honor veterans of World War I, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. In 1954, following both World War II and the Korean War, the word “armistice” was changed to “veterans” to honor veterans of all American wars.
The day Veterans Day was celebrated moved a few times over the years, but President Gerald Ford moved it back to its annual observance on the Nov. 11 date by 1978.
Is Veterans Day different from Memorial Day?
Will stocks trade on Veterans Day? Absolutely not.
The last across-the-board holiday for stock and bond markets was Labor Day, on September 4. The next is Thanksgiving, on November 23.
As American Citizens, it should be our pledge every year to honor the service and sacrifices of our soldiers every day. Honoring our nation’s military and their families for those sacrifices is a never-ending debt all Americas Citizens owe to those courageous men and women who’ve given their lives or lost loved ones for the freedoms we enjoy.