Veterans Day, formerly called Armistice Day in commemoration of the signing of the Armistice ending World War I, is the anniversary of the ending of World War I. In the United States it is celebrated as a federal holiday on 11 November. All major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. Armistice Day was first commemorated by President Wilson in 1919, and many states made it a legal holiday. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 inviting all Americans to observe the day, and made it a legal holiday nationwide in 1938. The holiday has been observed annually on November 11 since that date - first as Armistice Day, later as Veterans Day - except for a brief period when it was celebrated on the fourth Monday of October.

Following World War II, the name of the holiday was changed (enacted 1 June, 1954) to Veterans Day to honor those who served in all American wars. The day has since evolved as a time for honoring living veterans who have served in the military during wartime or peacetime, partially due to competition with Memorial Day, which primarily honors the dead. There has been some discussion of whether a person's veteran status depends upon their retirement or discharge from any of the armed forces, however, the term applies to any that have honorably served their country for longer than their initial enlistment or that have served in a war zone as directed by their superior officers or as directed by lawful orders given by their country.

Many nations within the British Commonwealth observe a similar occasion, Remembrance Day, on 11 November, with New Zealand and Australia also observing Anzac Day on 25 April.

External links

• US Census Bureau, Veterans Day