Veterans Day is a national holiday that gives thanks to all veterans, living or dead, and remembers veterans of all wars.Veterans Day and Memorial Day are often confused, but Veterans Day is honoring all veterans whereas Memorial Day is honoring veterans who died serving the country. The holiday occurs on November 11th to honor the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” in 1918 that meant the end of World War I. In 1919, a year after the war ended, the day was proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson to be a day that should be “filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory.” It was formerly known as Armistice Day when it became a legal holiday in 1938, but in 1954 President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed the name of the day to Veterans Day. 

In Washington D.C, every Veterans Day and Memorial Day, the Arlington National Cemetery holds a memorial service every year. In the United States, on November 11, federal government offices are closed, some schools close, in many places the American flag is hung at half mast, and parades as well as church services are held to honor veterans. 

Other countries observe this holiday as well but have different names for it. For example, Canada has Remembrance Day. In Canada on this day they wear red poppy flowers to honor their veterans that died in war while Britain has Remembrance Sunday, which is the second Sunday of November. On this day, they have parades, services, and two minutes of silence in London to those who died in war. In countries in Europe it is common as a remembrance to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11th. 

Throughout the year and especially around Veterans Day, if you see a veteran, make sure you thank them for their service for all they have done for the country.