Veterans Day originated to commemorate the ending of World War I. In 1919, then President Woodrow Wilson designated November 11 as a day to remember Armistice Day (November 11, 1918 or the day fighting ended in World War I). In 1926, Congress passed a resolution that designated November 11 as a day of remembrance of Armistice Day. In 1938, a bill made November 11 (Armistice Day) a federal holiday. In 1954, Congress and then President Dwight D Eisenhower changed November 11 from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor US veterans of all wars. The actual day of observance varied due to weekends but in 1978 the date of observance was restored to November 11.
“Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans—living or dead—but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.”1
As of 2025, Veterans Day is one of 12 recognized federal holidays:
Jan. 1: New Year's Day
Jan. 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, also Inauguration Day
Feb. 17: Presidents Day
May 26: Memorial Day
June 19: Juneteenth
July 4: Independence Day or July Fourth
Sept. 1: Labor Day
Oct. 13: Columbus Day
Nov. 11: Veterans Day
Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Day
Dec. 25: Christmas Day
Discussion emerged recently to rename Veterans Day as a World War I Victory Day and to create a second victory day celebration to commemorate the May 8 victory day for World War II. There was also discussion to remove the status of Veterans Day as a federal holiday as it was perceived that there were already too many federal holidays.
Given that the liberty and lifestyle enjoyed by Americans was secured by veterans and those who serve(d) the US in times of peace and war, national reflection and celebration of holidays should be rank-ordered with this important tenet in mind and the top 3 prioritized days should be the 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day. Without veterans’ service and sacrifice, none of the other holidays would matter without the freedoms America enjoys.
Remembrance should not be limited to those who served in World War I and II. Since its founding, US servicemembers have been and continue to be in harm’s way protecting America and its interests. While the magnitude and familiarity of the two World Wars exceeds many other conflicts, the individual service and sacrifice of the US servicemember is absolute and should not be rank ordered by the size of the conflict or the successful outcome of said war.
Fortunately, the 2025 discussion ended and the White House released the following statement on May 3, 2025:
"We are not renaming Veteran's Day," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told ABC News. "It will just be an additional proclamation that goes out on that day."2
Please leave Veterans Day alone and continue to honor all US servicemembers who served America in peace and war.
- https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-veterans-day
- https://abc7ny.com/post/white-house-backtracks-donald-trumps-announcement-renaming-veterans-day-victory-world-war/16311070/
you want to get rid of the too many fed holidays, get rid of the two that celebrate only one very select group of people. Vets day is non descriminatory against race. The other two, not so much.
Agreed!