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VETERANS DAY

When is Veterans Day in 2023?

Veterans Day in 2023 is on the Saturday, 11th of Nov (11/11/2023).

Veterans Day is on the 315th day of 2023. There are 50 days left in the year.

Veterans Day Facts

  • Date: Nov 11, 2023
  • National
  • Also Called: Veterans
  • Celebrations: Parades
Veterans Day iImage Credit: flickr/wigwam

Formerly called Armistice Day, Veterans Day is celebrated on 11th November every year. Initially, the day was a holiday to honor the anniversary of World War I. The day coincides with Armistice Day and Remembrance Day celebrated in other countries to honor the same war. Veterans Day commemorates both the living and dead persons who served in the US military service. Veterans vs. Memorial Day should however not be confused. While Memorial Day celebrates persons who died in the military service, Veterans Day celebrates all those who served in the US military, whether dead or alive.

When Is Veterans Day Observed?

Although the day is celebrated on 11th November, it is observed on the nearest weekday to 11th. For instance, if the day falls on a Sunday, then people observe it on Monday, whereas if it falls on Saturday, then the preceding Friday is often designated as the observance day.

Veterans Day History

The first Veterans Day was observed in 1019 after Germany and Allies put to end World War 1. On November 11, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Armistice Day as one filled with solemn pride because of the heroism of the persons who died while serving the country. In May 1938, the Congress declared 11th November as a legal holiday and a day dedicated to the cause of world peace.

In 1945, Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran, suggested that the holiday should recognize all veterans from all the US wars. Following this, Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day after Congress amended the act in June 1954.

In 1968, the new legislation changed the Veterans Day celebration to the fourth Monday in October. However, given that November 11th held a historical significance for many Americans, Congress shifted the day’s observance from October to the traditional date.

Which States Do Not Observe Veterans Day?

Although Veterans Day is a federal holiday in most of the states in the US, Wisconsin remains the only state that does not celebrate the holiday.

The Significance of Red Poppy to Veterans Day

Red poppies are a symbol of Veterans Day. The association of red poppies to this great day dates back in 1915. This was after Colonel John McCrae wrote a poem popularly known as ‘In Flanders Fields’ where he immortalized the poppy and its ability to sprout in large numbers after laying dormant in the soil for a long time. The red poppy is therefore, a symbol of sacrifice and the many needs of our veterans.

Today, the flower is used to raise funds and donations for veterans as a sign that despite the destruction of war, they have survived, and life has given them a second chance.

How to Celebrate Veterans Day?

There are Veterans Day parades and speeches organized by all branches of the military in most towns of the United States. The ceremonies are meant to remind us of the sacrifices the military personnel has made over the years. You can plan to attend one.

You can also watch a few Hollywood movies that celebrate veterans. Be sure to check out these titles, American Sniper, Lone Survivor and The Hurt Locker.

If you would instead read, there are thousands of books that commemorate this day. Some of the most popular titles include Valerie Pfundstein’s Heroes in Our Neighborhood and Veterans Day, written by Mir Ansary. These two books are also great for children since they give plenty of information about the veteran concept.

Some restaurants offer Veterans Day Free meals to locals as a way to commemorate this day. You can check out if there are any restaurants in your area granting this awesome offer.

Veterans Day Facts

- There are 2 million female veterans in the US

- By 2014, each of these states had more than 1 million veterans in their population; California, Florida and Texas

- By 2014, 2.9 million veterans were compensated for service-connected disabilities

- 7 million veterans participated in the Vietnam war

Veterans Day Observances

DAY
DATE
HOLIDAY NAME
  • Tue
  • Nov 11, 2008
  • Wed
  • Nov 11, 2009
  • Thu
  • Nov 11, 2010
  • Fri
  • Nov 11, 2011
  • Sun
  • Nov 11, 2012

List of National and Regional Public Holidays of United States in 2023

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
SundaySunJan 01, 2023Jan 01New Year's Day
MondayMonJan 02, 2023Jan 02New Year's Day Holiday
MondayMonJan 16, 2023Jan 16M L King Day
MondayMonFeb 20, 2023Feb 20Presidents' Day
FridayFriApr 07, 2023Apr 07Good Friday
SundaySunApr 09, 2023Apr 09Easter Sunday
MondayMonMay 29, 2023May 29Memorial Day
MondayMonJun 19, 2023Jun 19Juneteenth
TuesdayTueJul 04, 2023Jul 04Independence Day
MondayMonSep 04, 2023Sep 04Labor Day
MondayMonOct 09, 2023Oct 09Columbus Day
SaturdaySatNov 11, 2023Nov 11Veterans Day
ThursdayThuNov 23, 2023Nov 23Thanksgiving Day
MondayMonDec 25, 2023Dec 25Christmas

List of Popular Celebration Days of United States in 2023

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
ThursdayThuJan 12, 2023Jan 12National Pharmacists Day
ThursdayThuJan 19, 2023Jan 19National Popcorn Day
WednesdayWedFeb 01, 2023Feb 01National Signing Day
ThursdayThuFeb 02, 2023Feb 02Groundhog Day
FridayFriFeb 03, 2023Feb 03National Wear Red Day
ThursdayThuFeb 09, 2023Feb 09National Pizza Day
MondayMonFeb 13, 2023Feb 13Galentine's Day
TuesdayTueFeb 14, 2023Feb 14Valentine's Day
WednesdayWedFeb 15, 2023Feb 15National Bagel Day
SaturdaySatFeb 18, 2023Feb 18National Drink Wine Day
TuesdayTueFeb 21, 2023Feb 21National Pancake Day
WednesdayWedFeb 22, 2023Feb 22National Margarita Day
FridayFriMar 03, 2023Mar 03National Employee Appreciation Day
TuesdayTueMar 07, 2023Mar 07National Cereal Day
SundaySunMar 12, 2023Mar 12Daylight savings
MondayMonMar 13, 2023Mar 13National Napping Day
TuesdayTueMar 14, 2023Mar 14National Walkout Day
TuesdayTueMar 14, 2023Mar 14National Pi Day
MondayMonMar 20, 2023Mar 20National Proposal Day
ThursdayThuMar 23, 2023Mar 23National Puppy Day
ThursdayThuMar 30, 2023Mar 30National Doctor Day
WednesdayWedApr 05, 2023Apr 05National Walking Day
ThursdayThuApr 06, 2023Apr 06National Burrito Day
FridayFriApr 07, 2023Apr 07National Beer Day
TuesdayTueApr 11, 2023Apr 11National Pet Day
WednesdayWedApr 12, 2023Apr 12National Grilled Cheese Day
ThursdayThuMay 04, 2023May 04National Day Of Prayer
SundaySunMay 14, 2023May 14Mother's Day
ThursdayThuMay 25, 2023May 25National Towel Day
ThursdayThuMay 25, 2023May 25National Wine Day
FridayFriJun 02, 2023Jun 02National Donut Day
ThursdayThuJun 08, 2023Jun 08National Best Friends Day
SundaySunJun 18, 2023Jun 18Father's Day
WednesdayWedJun 21, 2023Jun 21National Selfie Day
ThursdayThuJun 22, 2023Jun 22National Kissing Day
TuesdayTueJul 11, 2023Jul 11Amazon Prime Day
ThursdayThuJul 13, 2023Jul 13National French Fry Day
FridayFriJul 14, 2023Jul 14National Nude Day
SundaySunJul 16, 2023Jul 16National Ice Cream Day
WednesdayWedJul 19, 2023Jul 19National Hot Dog Day
MondayMonJul 24, 2023Jul 24National Tequila Day
SaturdaySatJul 29, 2023Jul 29National Chicken Wing Day
TuesdayTueAug 01, 2023Aug 01National Girlfriends Day
SundaySunAug 06, 2023Aug 06National Sister Day
MondayMonSep 18, 2023Sep 18National Cheeseburger Day
TuesdayTueOct 03, 2023Oct 03National Boyfriends Day
WednesdayWedOct 04, 2023Oct 04National Vodka Day
WednesdayWedOct 04, 2023Oct 04National Taco Day
MondayMonOct 09, 2023Oct 09Leif Erikson Day
SaturdaySatOct 21, 2023Oct 21Sweetest Day
SundaySunOct 29, 2023Oct 29National Cat Day
TuesdayTueOct 31, 2023Oct 31Halloween
FridayFriNov 03, 2023Nov 03National Sandwich Day
FridayFriNov 24, 2023Nov 24Black Friday
MondayMonNov 27, 2023Nov 27Cyber Monday
SaturdaySatDec 02, 2023Dec 02Candle Day
SaturdaySatDec 09, 2023Dec 09National Pastry Day
FridayFriDec 15, 2023Dec 15National Ugly Sweater day