Veterans Day 2026

    

    Every year on November 11, communities across this country pause to honor the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. While many enjoy the day off or attend a local parade, the history behind the date and the specific purpose of the holiday are often overlooked or misunderstood.

    Understanding how Veterans Day came to be - and how it differs from other patriotic holidays - helps us honor our servicemen and women with the clarity and respect they deserve.

    The origins of Veterans Day trace back to the end of World War I. Major hostilities officially ceased on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, when the Allied nations and Germany signed an armistice.  

    The very next year, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11 as the first "Armistice Day" to commemorate the heroism of those who fought in World War I and celebrate the return of peace.

    In 1938, an act of Congress officially made November 11 a legal federal holiday, originally dedicated to World War I veterans and the cause of world peace.

    After World War II and the Korean War, veteran service organizations urged Congress to expand the holiday's scope. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation changing the word "Armistice" to "Veterans," officially broadening the honor to all American veterans of any war.

    Between 1968-1975, Congress, under The Uniform Monday Holiday Act, moved Veterans Day to the 4th Monday of October to create a three-day weekend for federal employees.  However, due to widespread public disapproval and the deep historical significance of November 11, Gerald Ford signed a bill restoring the fixed November 11 date starting in 1978.

    Today, November 11 remains a fixed anchor on the calendar, ensuring the legacy of the 1918 armistice is never forgotten. 

Veterans Day vs. Memorial Day: What's the Difference?

    One of the most common misconceptions surrounding American military holidays is confusing or merging Veterans Day with Memorial Day. While both pay tribute to service members, their purposes are distinct:

Holiday	When	Primary Purpose	Who We Honor
Memorial Day	Last Monday in May	Remembers and mourns those who died in service or as a result of injuries incurred during battle.	Deceased service members who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Veterans Day	November 11	Pays tribute to all living and non-living military veterans who served honorably during wartime or peacetime.	All U.S. military veterans, with an emphasis on thanking living veterans for their service.

    Remembering this distinction allows us to direct our gratitude appropriately: Memorial Day is a solemn time of remembrance for the fallen (think funeral or memorial service), whereas Veterans Day is an opportunity to thank living veterans for their duty, sacrifice and continued contributions to our nation and communities.

- Historical information provided by Google Gemini with some editing and tweaking by me.  

Harry Tapley Sr.
U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam
my brother

    Today, please remember to thank a veteran or honor your relatives and ancestors who served. 

Charles Morgan Tapley
U.S. Navy, World War II
My grandfather "Pop Pop"

   

  

Comfort Ranney
U.S. Army, Civil War
My 2nd Great-Grandfather