Veterans Day 2021 is on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021.
As a federal holiday, Veterans Day is typically observed on Nov. 11 every year. However, if it occurs on a Sunday then the federal government designates the following Monday as the Federal holiday. If Nov. 11 falls on a Saturday then the government may designate either Saturday or Friday.
When the observed Federal holiday and Nov. 11 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.
Veterans have many milestones to back on. Last year (2020) marked 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.
2021 Veterans Day Deals
Each year, restaurants and retail stores offer discounts, free meals and special services to veterans to thank them for their service to the United States.
Check out the links below for more information on specific deals and eligibility.
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, 2021. This year’s event include 300+ marching units, 30 floats, and over 25,000 marchers. Several aspects of the parade have been adjusted do to COVID-19 protocols. Expect 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, 2021 – 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.
Honor veterans in Washington, D.C. by visiting national monuments.
See more Veterans Day events.
2021 Veterans Day Virtual Events
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations will be hosting virtual events for Veterans Day in 2021.
Here is a list of online veterans day events that will take place this year to honor our veterans.
Musicians On Call – Beginning Nov. 8.
An exclusive concert to honor Veterans, featuring Sara Evans, Peter Frampton, Caylee Hammack, Michael Ray, Wynonna, Darius Rucker and more, from The Bluebird Café in Nashville, Tennessee.
National Veterans Day Observance – The National Veterans Day Observance on Nov. 11 will be hosted by VA Secretary Denis McDonough at Arlington National Cemetery, to honor all who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. uniformed services. The ceremony starts at 11 a.m. and will live stream at https://www.facebook.com/VeteransAffairs or through this link.
Challenge America – Challenge America will offer a virtual Veterans Day Gala and celebrity concert on November 11, 7-8:30 p.m. To sign up, visit https://event.gives/caveterans.
2021 Veterans Day Poster
Each year, the Department of Veterans Affairs issues an official poster for Veterans Day.
The theme for the 2021 Veterans Day Poster is: “Honoring All Who Served.”
“In this poster, a Tomb Guard carries out his responsibilities with unwavering dedication, alone on the quiet plaza at dawn. There have been Tomb Guards of all races, genders, religion and creeds, so I wanted to keep the identity of this Tomb Guard ambiguous.
By placing the Tomb Guard off to the side I hoped to remind the viewer to look past the sentinel and focus on the tomb itself and the unknown soldiers who died in service to our nation.”
~ VA Statement from the artist, Matt Tavares
About Veterans Day
Veterans Day is observed every year on Nov. 11. Veterans Day evolved from Armistice Day, which was proclaimed in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson.
Armistice Day recognizes the end of World War I, when fighting ceased at the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month in 1918. (November 11th at 11 A.M, 1918).
On Nov. 11, 1947 Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran, organized a “National Veterans Day” parade in Birmingham, Alabama, to recognize veterans of all wars, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
According to the Emporia Convention and Visitors 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.”
These celebrations may have influenced Congress to change Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954 to recognize veterans of all U.S. wars.
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.
According to History.com, Veterans Day wasn’t always held on Nov. 11. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, moving Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October beginning in 1971. But, in 1975 President Gerald Ford returned the observance to Nov. 11.
See our Veterans Day Facts infographic.
Veterans Day Moment of Silence
On Veterans Day, Americans observe a two-minute moment of silence beginning at 3:11 p.m. Atlantic standard time to honor of the service and sacrifice of veterans throughout history.
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 2016.
Difference Between Veterans Day and Memorial Day
Memorial Day is for remembering and honoring military personnel who died 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 wartime or peacetime.
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. The military-seal placements on each pillar are based upon the Department of Defense’s prescribed precedence.
The Anthem was built before the sixth branch of the military, the United States Space Force, was created.
The memorial is designed so that at precisely 11:11 a.m. on Veterans Day, 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.
