President Joe Biden honored Veterans Day on Monday by laying a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery, coinciding with the large parade held in New York City. Across the nation, smaller parades took place to pay tribute to the brave individuals who have served in the U.S. military.
The observance of Veterans Day traces back over a hundred years, originating as Armistice Day to commemorate the cessation of hostilities in World War I. Its significance has evolved from its initial focus on the end of that specific conflict to a broader recognition of veterans from all wars and those presently serving.
Veterans Day also serves as a public holiday for federal employees, postal workers, and many students, with several businesses offering special promotions and discounts to mark the occasion.
The roots of Veterans Day can be traced back to Armistice Day, which celebrated the agreement that ended World War I, taking effect at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918. The day was first officially observed in the U.S. by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919, and in 1938, Congress designated November 11 as a federal holiday.
The holiday’s focus shifted following World War II, leading Congress in 1954 to rename it Veterans Day, to honor veterans from all military conflicts. However, changes made in the early 1970s—moving the holiday to Mondays—met with mixed responses as some states continued observing it on November 11. Eventually, in 1975, President Gerald Ford reestablished November 11 as the date for Veterans Day, a practice that has continued.
Celebrations for Veterans Day across the U.S. include a long-standing tradition of parades honoring veterans, which date back to 1919. The largest of these parades occurs in New York City along Fifth Avenue, where an estimated 20,000 participants were anticipated for the 2024 event, organized by the United War Veterans Council.
During ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, U.S. presidents traditionally lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. President Biden expressed at the memorial amphitheater that serving as commander in chief of “the finest fighting force in the history of the world” has been a true honor in his life. Other nations, such as the UK, Canada, and Australia, observe similar memorial days close to November 11, often referred to as Remembrance Day.
While Veterans Day focuses primarily on recognizing all military veterans, Memorial Day is commemorated specifically to honor those who lost their lives in service. Memorial Day originated after the Civil War, with the first national observance known as Decoration Day held on May 30, 1868, when Union Army veterans advocated for decorating the graves of fallen soldiers. Since 1971, Memorial Day is observed on the final Monday of May, leading to some controversies about the day’s original solemnity being overshadowed by its designation as the unofficial start of summer.
As for local observances on Veterans Day, being a federal holiday means that USPS does not deliver mail, and government offices and federal courts are closed. Similarly, most banks and public schools observe the holiday, while major stock exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq remain open, though bond markets do not.
Many businesses recognize Veterans Day by offering special promotions, although most retailers operate as usual. A number of restaurants provide free meals for veterans and active military personnel, who can also take advantage of various discounts from retailers. Furthermore, some zoos and museums allow free admission, and numerous places offer services like haircuts and oil changes to military members, according to information from the Department of Veterans Affairs.