Veterans Day is coming up, as with every year, it's celebrated on November 11, which is a Tuesday. However, some people don't really understand what Veterans Day is or tend to get it confused with Memorial Day, which is in May. It's important to note that Veterans Day is about honoring the living veterans of combat while Memorial Day is dedicated to honoring those who died.
Originally, November 11 was set aside as Armistice Day. This day was meant to commemorate the end of World War I. The official treaty that ended the war was signed on November 11, 1918. In 1938, Armistice Day was created via a piece of legislation as a day in which Americans celebrated world peace and honored the veterans who fought in WWI.
In 1954, the holiday was officially changed to Veterans Day. The change was made so that veterans of other conflicts such as Korean War and World War II could also be honored and recognized on Veterans Day.
While Veterans Day was originally observed on November 11, it was later moved to the fourth Monday in October following the Uniforms Holiday Bill of 1968. However, a number of states refused to make the change, and in 1975, it was moved back to November 11. Federal government offices are closed on Veterans Day (or Friday/Monday if it falls on a Saturday/Sunday). Many local and state government offices are also closed.
There are a number of different ways you can honor veterans on Veterans Day or any day of the year. Wearing veteran patches on your jacket, for example, is one way to honor those who served their country all year round.
