11th November Veterans Day Facts and History That Should Not Be Missed

Celebrating national holidays has always been a part of our office culture. Holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, the Fourth of July, St Patrick’s Day, Easter, Hanukkah, and many more are celebrated joyfully. Celebrating these special days is an excellent opportunity for us to come together as one and appreciate the diversity of our workforce.

However, one day, Janet wanted to understand why we didn’t celebrate Veterans Day at the office. So, she did some research on Veterans Day facts.

Celebrating national holidays at the office allows us to stay connected with each other and appreciate the different cultures represented. The holidays allow us to focus on the core values we share as a team. Core values such as compassion, collaboration, respect, and integrity.

That’s when Janet proposed dedicating one day every year to recognizing military veterans at our company and their sacrifices and contributions.

At first, some people hesitated to embrace the idea. However, after much discussion and debate, we agreed to establish a Veterans Day celebration.

There were a lot of facts about Veterans Day to learn.

Here are 11 amazing Veterans Day Facts:

Veterans Day is a special day to honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces.

Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11th every year in the United States.

Initially, it was called Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I, which occurred on November 11, 1918.

In 1954, President Eisenhower changed the name to Veterans Day to honor all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The official Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony takes place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

Individuals and organizations nationwide host parades and ceremonies to honor veterans on Veterans Day.

Veterans Day is a federal holiday, so most government offices, schools, and businesses are closed.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that there are currently around 19 million veterans.

The Veterans Day National Ceremony includes a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. to honor when the armistice was signed to end World War I.

Most restaurants and businesses offer veterans free or meal discounts on Veterans Day to thank them for their service.

The Veterans Day National Committee organizes and coordinates ceremonies and activities across the U.S. on Veteran’s Day.

Why Do We Celebrate Veterans Day?

Learning about Veterans Day made us more interested in why we celebrate it. We learned that Veterans Day is a day to honor and thank all the brave men and women who have served our country in the military and other ways, like volunteer service.

That answered the question of why we celebrate Veterans Day. But we still needed to know, is Veterans Day for active duty service members or veterans only? 

We learned that Veterans Day is actually for both. It’s a day to honor those still on active duty, those who have already retired, and all the veterans.

When Did Veterans Day Become A National Holiday?

We created a work board with 11 facts about Veterans Day to clarify our understanding of Veterans Day. It included interesting information, such as the answer to “Is Veterans Day celebrated in other countries?”.

The answer was yes! Many countries worldwide have their own Veterans Day, including France, Australia, and Canada.

We also learned the answer to when Veterans Day became a national holiday. The answer is that Veterans Day was established as a U.S. federal holiday in 1938. The first official celebration then happened in 1954.

What Does Veterans Day Honor?

Once we knew the basic facts, we had to dig deeper to answer the question. What does Veterans Day honor? We learned that Veterans Day is a special day to honor those who have served in the US Armed Forces. It honors military veterans of all branches and celebrates their courage and sacrifice.

We also found that on this day each year, many people fly flags at half-staff until noon. After noon, they raise them. The American Legion is credited with popularizing this practice to honor all veterans who have died in service to their country.

Since we had put all this effort into learning what veterans do for us, we decided to visit the local VA hospital. We were able to meet some of the veterans. It allowed us to learn more about their experiences in the military and understand what veterans do for us. We also talked to doctors, nurses, and other staff members dedicated to caring for our veterans.

It was a humbling experience that helped us gain an even greater appreciation for those serving in the armed forces. We took them small gifts, like unique trays of curated snacks and some cool swag with the stars and stripes emblazoned on it.

It was amazing to talk with our veterans and listen to their stories. We learned about their sacrifices for our freedom and how much courage it took them to do so.

Why Do We Celebrate Veterans Day On November 11th? What is the History of Veterans Day?

We wanted to know, “Why is Veterans Day celebrated on November 11th?” and our answer was simple. November 11th marks the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. The date honors all veterans who have served since then. That’s why it is so essential for companies like ours to give back to our heroes, whose efforts and courage have helped keep us safe and free.

Now that we understood why Veterans Day is on November 11, we realized celebrating it wasn’t just about who has Veterans Day off. It was really about honoring and recognizing our veterans. So, this Veterans Day, we plan to do just that!

The office is hosting a special day of activities for our employees to show appreciation for their service. We encourage everyone to wear red, white, and blue to honor the American flag. We will also be serving lunch for all veterans as a token of our appreciation. Additionally, we will contribute to veterans’ charities and organizations to support their causes.

Difference Between Veteran Day and Memorial Day

The history of Veterans Day stems from the armistice agreement that ended World War I fighting on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Originally called Armistice Day, it commemorated veterans of World War I. Later, in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name to Veterans Day to honor veterans of all wars.

Veterans Day, celebrated annually on November 11th, is intended to be a joyous remembrance day on which the nation celebrates and thanks living veterans and veterans service organizations. Living veterans include the men and women of the Armed Forces who served their country in uniform and are still with us today to receive America’s gratitude and respect. Veterans service organizations, many initially formed to serve veterans of specific wars, assist living veterans, and remember the service of those no longer alive. Their services and membership keep the memory of deceased veterans alive for future generations.

In contrast to the lively celebrations of living and deceased veterans on Veterans Day, Memorial Day is a solemn occasion for mourning those who lost their lives in military service defending America and its ideals. Always observed on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day was initially known as Decoration Day after the Civil War era when citizens decorated the graves of fallen Civil War soldiers to honor their sacrifice. Today, Memorial Day remembers not just Civil War veterans but all members of the Armed Forces whose lives ended too soon while wearing their nation’s uniform. When citizens and veterans service organizations gather for Memorial Day observances and parades, it is to mournfully remember our war dead, reflect on the true cost of freedom, and renew our national pledge to care for the loved ones of those who perished for liberty.

So, while both holidays relate to military service, Veterans Day honors veterans’ contributions and continuing roles in American life, while Memorial Day mourns those no longer with us who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Both are pivotal to recognizing the depth of service and commitment America’s veterans have exhibited throughout the history of the nation they defended.

Does Veteran’s Day fall during the day or night?

Veteran’s Day is celebrated in daylight on November 11th each year. It takes place during the day, though some commemorative events may carry on into the evening.

What do you already know about Veterans Day and its history?

First known as “Armistice Day,” Veterans Day began as a way to honor the end of World War I. The armistice that ended WWI was signed on November 11th, 1918, and President Woodrow Wilson declared that date Armistice Day the following year. In 1926 it officially became a federal holiday. It is a day for honoring military veterans who have served the United States. It became known as Veterans Day in 1954 by an act of Congress.

What day of the week does Veteran’s Day fall on this year?

In 2023, Veterans Day falls on Saturday, November 11th.

Is Veterans Day holiday considered a public holiday

Yes, Veterans Day is a federal public holiday in the United States. Many schools, federal institutions, and some private businesses are closed. Public life is generally slower than usual especially in the morning with parades and commemoration events.