Veterans Day
Veterans Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, November 11. In 2027, Veterans Day falls on Thursday, November 11.
The dates of Veterans Day, this year and in the years ahead.
When is Veterans Day?
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Tuesday, November 11, 2025 |
| 2026 | Wednesday, November 11, 2026 |
| 2027 | Thursday, November 11, 2027 |
| 2028 | Saturday, November 11, 2028Day off: Friday, November 10, 2028 |
| 2029 | Sunday, November 11, 2029Day off: Monday, November 12, 2029 |
| 2030 | Monday, November 11, 2030 |
| 2031 | Tuesday, November 11, 2031 |
Dates calculated from the statutory rules. Source: U.S. Office of Personnel Management: federal holidays. More about our sources
What is Veterans Day?
Veterans Day, on November 11, honors everyone who has served in the U.S. armed forces, living or dead. It began as Armistice Day, marking the end of the fighting of World War I at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. After World War II and the Korean War, the day was renamed to honor veterans of all wars.
The official name is written without an apostrophe: it is a day for veterans, not a day that belongs to them.
Always on November 11
For a few years the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved Veterans Day to a Monday in October, but because of the historical meaning of November 11, the holiday was returned to its original date. When November 11 falls on a Saturday, federal employees get Friday off; when it falls on a Sunday, the holiday is observed on Monday.
In 2026 it falls on Wednesday, November 11.
How Veterans Day is observed
A national ceremony is held at Arlington National Cemetery, with a wreath laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Towns hold parades, and many restaurants and stores offer discounts to veterans. Federal offices and banks are closed; many schools and private businesses stay open.
Veterans Day honors all who have served, while Memorial Day in May honors those who died in service. Many other countries mark November 11 as Remembrance Day or Armistice Day.
Frequently asked questions
When is Veterans Day 2026?
In 2026, Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, November 11.
Is Veterans Day a day off?
Veterans Day is a federal holiday: federal offices are closed and federal employees have the day off. Whether state offices, schools and private businesses close depends on the state and the employer; private employers are not required to give the day off.
Why is Veterans Day on November 11?
Because the fighting of World War I ended on November 11. The day was originally called Armistice Day.
What happens if Veterans Day falls on a weekend?
For federal employees, a Saturday holiday is observed on Friday, November 10, and a Sunday holiday on Monday, November 12.