By: HISTORY.com Editors
Veterans Day Facts
Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and November 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Unlike Memorial Day, 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.
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When Is Veterans Day?
Veterans Day occurs on November 11 every year in the United States in honor of the “11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” of 1918 that signaled the end of World War I, known as Armistice Day.
In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed by Congress, which moved the celebration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. The law went into effect in 1971, but in 1975, President Gerald Ford returned Veterans Day to November 11, due to the important historical significance of the date.
Veterans Day commemorates veterans of all wars.
Great Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World War I and World War II on or near November 11th: Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain has Remembrance Sunday (the second Sunday of November).
In Europe, Great Britain and the Commonwealth countries it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11.
Every Veterans Day and Memorial Day, Arlington National Cemetery holds an annual memorial service. The cemetery is home to the graves of over 400,000 people, most of whom served in the military.
Veterans Today
The military men and women who serve and protect the United States come from all walks of life; they are parents, children, grandparents, friends, neighbors and coworkers. All are an important part of their communities. Here are some facts about the veteran population of the United States:
The United States has around 17 million veterans as of 2026. Their median age is 63.
Veterans account for nearly a quarter of the federal government’s civilian workforce, as of 2024, and 19 percent of members serving in the 119th Congress, which began in January 2025.
12 percent of living veterans are women.
More than 4.5 million living veterans served during the Vietnam War era from 1950 to 1973 (as of 2026).
Around 9 million living veterans served in the Gulf War era (as of 2026).
More than 280,000 living veterans served during the Korean War.
Of the 16 million Americans who served during World War II, about 30,600 were still alive as of 2026.
As of 2026, the top three states with the highest percentage of veterans were Alaska, Virginia and Montana.
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Sources
Honoring Service: 250 Years of Sacrifice and the Veterans We Serve
What We Know About Veterans Who Work for the Federal Government
The Changing Face of Congress in 7 Charts
The Changing Face of America’s Veteran Population
WWII Veteran Statistics
Veterans by State 2026
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Five American veterans share stories of courage, camaraderie and sacrifice across generations of military service.
The holiday takes a similar form for Hindus and others around the world.
The British holiday, celebrated with fireworks and bonfires, commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
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Citation Information
- Article Title
- Veterans Day Facts
- Author
- HISTORY.com Editors
- Website Name
- History
- Date Accessed
- November 09, 2026
- Publisher
- A&E Television Networks
- Last Updated
- November 09, 2026
- Original Published Date
- October 14, 2009
