Veteran Day is Nov. 11. American service personnel, past and present, might hear the words “Thank You for Your Service”
Are you unsure what Veterans Day means?
Continue reading to learn more about the holiday and its history.
What is Veterans Day?
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website, “While those who have died are also remembered,” Veterans Day is a day that honors all those who served honorably y in the militar y – in wartime and peacetime.
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According to the site, the holiday is primarily intended to thank veterans who have served their country. It also acknowledges that our nation’s security is appreciated.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Nov. 11 was first commemorated by President Woodrow Wilson as Armistice Day in 1919. (iStock)
Veterans Day has roots that go back almost 100 years.
Why is Veterans Day celebrated on November 11th?
According to the VA website, fighting during World War I was stopped on November 11, 1918 by an armistice between Germany and the Allies. In 1919, Woodrow Wilson, then-President of the United States, designated Nov. 11 as Armistice Day.
In 1926, Congress passed a resolution requesting that Nov. 11 be remembered every year with thanksgiving, prayer, and other exercises to promote peace and understanding among nations.
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In 1938 Armistice Day was made a legal public holiday.
Many American soldiers were killed in World War II and Korea War.
These wars led to the renaming of Armistice Day as Veterans Day in 1954.
Is this ‘Veterans Day’, ‘Veterans Day’ or just ‘Veterans Day’?
Correct. Veterans Day does not have an apostrophe
The VA website states that Veteran’s Day doesn’t include an apostrophe, but it does contain an’s at the end’ of the word’veterans’. This is because it’s not a day that belongs to veterans; it’s a day for honoring all vets.”
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In the 1960s, the date was moved to the fourth Monday of October in order to create a three day weekend. However, President Gerald Ford signed in 1975 a bill that would have made Veterans Day Nov. 11, according to the VA.
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran staff Sergeant Tim Chambers salutes thousands of bikers, military veterans, and others who took part in the 31st Annual Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom motorcycle rally in Washington, D.C. on May 27, 2018. (ERIC BRADAT/AFP via Getty Images).
Ford stated back then that “restoration” of Veterans Day from November 11 would help to preserve in Americans’ hearts and lives the spirit of patriotism and love of country, as well as the willingness to sacrifice for the common good.
Is Veterans Day a federal holiday or not?
Yes. If Veterans Day falls on a Monday, federal buildings will be closed.
If Nov. 11 falls on Saturday or Sunday, the federal holiday is observed on Friday and Monday.
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There is no law that requires the closing of buildings or businesses. According to the VA website, schools and private businesses can be closed in accordance with their individual needs.
Many communities celebrate the holiday by hosting ceremonies or parades for veterans the weekend before Nov. 11.
What is the difference between Veterans Day (or Memorial Day)?
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May to honor military personnel who have died while serving.
Veterans Day honors all who have served in wartime or combat, and whether they were deployed to another country or within the United States.
On Monday, November 11, 2019, veterans day ceremony at The Great Lakes Cemetery saw military personnel standing on top of a hill and preparing to fire their guns during the 21-gun salute. (Rachel Ellis/Saginaw news via AP)
On this and every other Nov. 11, please thank a veteran for his or her service. Be respectful if the veteran doesn’t want to talk about it.
Many veterans are humble and silent about their service. Fox News Digital spoke to a veteran about his Vietnam War service, saying that “there is no way to explain it to anyone else who hasn’t been in hostile war environments.”
Are there any other countries that celebrate Veterans Day on November 11th?
Both yes and no.
Despite the fact that many countries observe a public holiday to commemorate the armistice of WWI on November 11, their holidays don’t quite match the Veterans Day in the United States, according to the VA website.
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Canada and Australia observe “Remembrance day” on November 11, while Great Britain observes “Remembrance Monday” on the Sunday closest Nov. 11, according to the website.
Although the names of these holidays may be the same, Remembrance Day in Canada is “intended for all who served in Canada’s Armed Forces,” according to the VA site. This includes those who died.
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In contrast, Remembrance Day (Sun)Day in Australia and Great Britain is closer to Memorial Day in America.
