Every Nov. 11, Americans gather at memorials, attend parades, fly the American flag, and thank the men and women who served in our military.
For many families, Veterans Day is personal. It’s a chance to recognize a parent, grandparent, friend, or neighbor who answered the call to serve.
But have you ever wondered why we celebrate Veterans Day on Nov. 11?
The answer goes back more than a century, to the end of one of the deadliest wars in history.
How did Veterans Day begin?
On Nov. 11, 1918, at 11 a.m., the guns fell silent across much of Europe.
After four years of war, an agreement between Germany and the Allied powers brought an end to the fighting on the Western Front of World War I.
More than 100,000 American servicemembers had died during the war, and millions of people around the world had lost their lives.
Nov. 11 became known as Armistice Day, commemorating the end of the fighting.
Congress later made Nov. 11 a federal holiday in 1938.
But America would soon face another world war, followed by the Korean War. Millions more Americans answered the call to serve.
In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
The holiday now honored American veterans from every war and generation of military service.
Who do we honor on Veterans Day?
Veterans Day honors everyone who has served in the United States Armed Forces, including those who served during peacetime.
That includes veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are roughly 17.5 million veterans living across the United States today.
They’re our neighbors, coworkers, teachers, business owners, and community leaders.
Their service continues long after they leave the military. Many veterans use their experience, leadership, unique perspective, and skills to strengthen their communities.
Veteran-owned businesses alone generate roughly $1 trillion in annual revenue and support millions of American jobs.
Veterans Day is an opportunity to recognize their contributions to our freedom and our communities.
Why Veterans Day matters to America’s freedom
America was founded on the belief that every person has certain rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
For generations, Americans have served in uniform to defend our country and the freedoms protected by our founding principles.
Military service requires sacrifice. Veterans have spent months or years away from their families, faced dangerous conditions, and accepted responsibilities most Americans will never experience.
Their families have made sacrifices, too.
Veterans Day gives us an opportunity to recognize those sacrifices and consider our own responsibilities as citizens.
The freedoms we inherit come with opportunities to serve our communities, participate in self-government, and help preserve those rights for future generations.
That’s the idea behind November’s One Small Step theme, Protect What They Have Won for Us.
Take one small step to thank a veteran
This month, we’re joining our partners at Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) to honor veterans and encourage Americans to show their gratitude.
Through our toolkit, you can:
- Write a thank-you note to a veteran in your family or community using our printable cards.
- Honor a veteran on our Wall of Honorees by submitting their name for recognition.
- Listen to a veteran’s story and learn what their service meant to them.
Each of these small steps is a way to thank someone who served and help preserve the freedoms they defended for future generations.
Explore November’s One Small Step toolkit and sign up to receive more ways to get involved.