Veterans Day 2021 will be on Thursday, November 11th, 2021. As a federal holiday Veterans Day is typically observed on November 11th every year. However, if it occurs on a Sunday then the following Monday is designated as the Federal holiday, and if it occurs on a Saturday then either Saturday or Friday may be designated.
Veterans Day 2021 will be on Thursday, November 11th, 2021.
When the Federal holiday and November 11th dates are different, Veterans Day activities may take place on both days; many activities are often scheduled the weekend leading up to Veterans Day even during years when both dates match.
2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII, the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War, and the 30th anniversary of both the end of the Panama Invasion and the beginning of Desert Shield.
The theme for the 2020 Veterans Day Poster was: “Vision: Veterans in Focus.” “Looking back on centuries of Veterans’ service and sacrifice and what we have learned from the past, we must always maintain the vision for the future of Veterans. Putting the Veteran at the center, on Veterans Day we continue to honor all who served, while focusing on the needs of the next generation of Veterans.” ~ VA Statement
Veterans contribute to American society in many ways; not just during their time in active duty. Throughout our history, military service members have put on their uniforms to protect the values and liberties that this nation was built on. But that doesn’t stop once the uniform comes off and their time in active duty has ended. Veterans take the lessons they have learned and the experiences they’ve gained and continue their service to our nation by strengthening our communities. They become our nation’s leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs. Veterans are the most active volunteers working to improve communities across our country. Service goes beyond the uniform. This Veteran’s Day, we honor the men and women who have worn their uniform who continue to serve our country.
Veterans Day Events
Local Veterans Day Ceremonies & Parades
There are many local Veterans Day ceremonies and parades. Check your local news sites or Veterans organizations and charities for more information.
National Veterans Day Ceremony – Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
The Veterans Day National Ceremony is held each year on November 11th at Arlington National Cemetery . The ceremony commences precisely at 11:00 a.m. with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns and continues inside the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors by veterans’ organizations and remarks from dignitaries.
New York City Parade on November 11, 2020. This year’s event includes a Veterans Day motorcade, Virtual line of march, motorcycle ride, wreath layings, television specials, and more.
Emporia, Kansas “Founding City” Veterans Day Parade on November 11, 2020 – The “official founding city of Veterans Day” Emporia, Kansas, Veterans Day Parade is on Wednesday 11/11, at 9:30 am, plus many other events to celebrate veterans between 11/1 and 11/11.
National Cemetery Administration Veterans Day Events – Multiple cities
This listing is in alphabetic order by state.
National Veterans Day Regional Sites – The Veterans Day National Committee recognizes select Veterans Day observances throughout the country that represent fitting tributes to America’s heroes serve as models for other communities to follow in planning their own observances.
Wounded Warrior Project ‘Honoring Our Warriors’ Virtual Event– Virtual
A virtual Veterans Day celebration to encourage Americans everywhere to celebrate Veterans Day from home. The virtual event will be hosted by former NFL quarterback and current football analyst for ESPN Jesse Palmer, and includes musical performances, as well as veteran tributes during the broadcast on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 11:30 a.m. EST / 10:30 CST / 8:30 PST on the nonprofit’s Facebook Page and YouTube channel.
Honor veterans in Washington, D.C. by visiting national monuments.
See more Veterans Day events.
About Veterans Day
Veterans Day is observed every year on November 11th. Veterans Day evolved from Armistice Day, which was proclaimed in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson. Armistice is when warring parties agree to stop fighting; Armistice Day recognizes the end of World War One when hostilities ceased on November 11th at 11 A.M, 1918 (11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month).
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs official site on November 11th, 1947 Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran, organized a “National Veterans Day” parade in Birmingham, Alabama to recognize veterans of all wars.
This celebration may have helped influence Congress to change Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954 to recognize Veterans of all U.S. wars.
Was the work of Raymond Weeks the first “official” or semi-official Veterans Day? The residents of Emporia, Kansas might disagree. According to the Emporia Conventional and Visitor Bureau official site, “In 1953 Veterans Day was organized and celebrated in Emporia, Kansas; one year prior to the first nationwide observance on November 11, 1954.”
President Dwight D. Eisenhower made November 11 the official national observance of Veterans Day after Kansas Congressman Ed Rees (who was from Emporia) proposed the bill in Congress to change Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
The observance wasn’t always held on the 11th of the month; History.com reports that decades later in 1968, legislation known as the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed by Congress, moving Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October as of 1971. This didn’t last long; in 1975 President Gerald Ford returned the observance to November 11, due at least in part to the historic nature of the date.
See our Veterans Day Facts infographic.
Veterans Day Moment of Silence
The Veterans Day Moment of Silence calls on all Americans to observe two minutes of silence on Veterans Day, beginning at 3:11 pm Atlantic standard time, in honor of the service and sacrifice of veterans throughout the history of the nation. The 3:11 pm time was chose because in 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I.
People in different time zones can observe the moment of silence at these times: Eastern Standard Time; 2:11 p.m. Central Standard Time; 1:11 Mountain Standard Time; 12:11 Pacific Standard Time; 11:11 a.m. Alaska Standard Time; 10:11 a.m; Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time 9:11 a.m.
The Veterans Day Moment of Silence Act become law in the year 2016.
Difference Between Veterans Day and Memorial Day
Memorial Day is for remembering and honoring military personnel who dies in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of a wound sustained in battle.
Veterans Day is intended to thank all those who honorably served in the military – in war time or peace time.
Anthem Veterans Memorial: A Unique Place to Visit on Veterans Day
The Anthem Veterans Memorial has five pillars that represent the five branches of the United States military. They are staggered in size and the military seal placements on each pillar are based upon the Department of Defense prescribed precedence, ranging from the United States Army, the United States Marine Corp, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, and the United States Coast Guard. Note: The Anthem was created before the 6th branch of the military, the Space Force was created.
At precisely 11:11 AM on Veterans Day, November 11th, the sun’s rays will pass through each of the five pillars’ elliptical openings to illuminate a glass mosaic medallion of the Great Seal of the United States.
