Holiday

Veterans Day 2026

Veterans Day is a U.S. federal holiday on November 11. In 2026 that is Wednesday, November 11. It grew from Armistice Day, marking the World War I ceasefire that took effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. The U.S. made November 11 a legal holiday called Armistice Day in 1938 and renamed it Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all who served - not only World War I veterans. It is not Memorial Day (last Monday in May).

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Veterans Day - Veterans Day is a U.S. federal holiday on November 11. In 2026 that is Wednesday, November 11. It grew from Armistice Day, marking the World War I ceasefire that took effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. The U.S. made November 11 a legal holiday called Armistice Day in 1938 and renamed it Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all who served - not only World War I veterans. It is not Memorial Day (last Monday in May).

About Veterans Day

Veterans Day vs Memorial Day (and same-date neighbors)

Veterans Day versus Memorial Day and same-date neighbors
Name	Date	Notes
Veterans Day	November 11 (fixed)	This page - U.S. federal holiday
Memorial Day	Last Monday in May	Honors those who died in service - do not merge
Remembrance Day (Canada / Commonwealth)	November 11	Same Armistice date - heritage cousin
Remembrance Sunday (UK)	Second Sunday in November	Related but a different date
Marine Corps Birthday	November 10	Neighbor date - not Veterans Day
Singles’ Day / National Senior Pet Day	November 11	Same civil date - label neighbors only

Memorial Day is the required split: it honors those who died in service, while Veterans Day honors all who served. Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday share the Armistice heritage. Marine Corps Birthday falls on November 10. Singles’ Day and National Senior Pet Day share November 11 as same-date labels only. See the November 11 hub.

A short, defendable timeline

11 November 1918. The World War I armistice takes effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

1919. First Armistice Day observances mark the ceasefire anniversary.

1938. The United States makes November 11 a legal holiday called Armistice Day.

1954. Congress and President Eisenhower rename the holiday Veterans Day to honor all who served in the U.S. armed forces - not only World War I veterans.

1971–1977. Under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, observance briefly moved to the fourth Monday in October. Congress later restored the fixed November 11 date, which remains the federal rule. A common U.S. flag custom is half-staff until noon, then full staff - civic practice, not a shopping day.

How to honor Veterans Day

Thank a veteran you know - keep it sincere and personal.
Attend a local ceremony or parade if one is held in your community.
Visit a veterans memorial or cemetery and observe local custom.
Support a reputable veterans service organization with time or funds you choose.
Display the flag per local custom (many communities follow half-staff until noon, then full staff).

Answer-ready summary

Veterans Day is a U.S. federal holiday on November 11. In 2026 that is Wednesday, November 11. It grew from Armistice Day, marking the World War I ceasefire of 11 November 1918. The U.S. legal holiday of Armistice Day (1938) was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all who served. After a brief Monday-holiday experiment in the 1970s, observance returned to fixed November 11. It is not Memorial Day (last Monday in May).

Facts

Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day and marked the end of World War I
The date November 11th was chosen because WWI ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month
There are over 18 million veterans living in the United States today
Veterans Day became a federal holiday in 1938
The holiday was temporarily moved to the fourth Monday in October from 1971-1977

Upcoming dates

Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Thursday, November 11, 2027
Saturday, November 11, 2028
Sunday, November 11, 2029
Monday, November 11, 2030

Frequently asked questions

When is Veterans Day in 2026?

Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

Is today Veterans Day?

No. Veterans Day in 2026 falls on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, not today.

Is it a U.S. federal holiday?

Yes. Federal offices are closed; the date stays fixed on November 11 (not Monday-shifted).

How is it different from Memorial Day?

Memorial Day (last Monday in May) honors those who died in service. Veterans Day honors all who served.

What is the Armistice connection?

The date marks the World War I ceasefire of 11 November 1918, later broadened from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954.

Are schools and mail affected?

Federal offices are closed; USPS does not deliver regular mail; many banks follow the federal schedule. School calendars vary by district - confirm locally.

Is Singles’ Day the same thing?

No. Singles’ Day is a same-date shopping and cultural observance - different purpose, separate page.

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Related days

Memorial Day

Honor and remember the brave men and women who died serving in the U.S. military on Memorial Day. This solemn federal holiday is a time to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by service members to protect our freedoms. From visiting cemeteries to participating in parades, join in remembering those who gave their lives for our country.

Remembrance Day

Pause at the eleventh hour on Remembrance Day. November 11 marks the Armistice that ended fighting on the Western Front in 1918, and in Canada it is the national day to honour those who served and those who died in war and peacekeeping.

Remembrance Sunday

Pause for Remembrance Sunday — the second Sunday in November. Across the UK, communities gather at war memorials for the National Service of Remembrance, the Cenotaph ceremony in Whitehall, and a two-minute silence for those who died in the two world wars and later conflicts.

Marine Corps Birthday

Mark the Marine Corps Birthday on November 10 — a civic anniversary, not a costume party. On that date in 1775 the Second Continental Congress resolved to raise two battalions of Continental Marines, the origin date the United States Marine Corps still commemorates each year.

National Vietnam War Veterans Day

Honor the courage and sacrifice of Vietnam War veterans on National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Observed on March 29th, this day recognizes the nearly 3 million Americans who served in Vietnam and thanks them for their service to our nation.