ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Every year, America remembers its heroes in November with the Veterans Day holiday.
This year, Veterans Day falls on Monday, Nov. 11. In fact, the holiday always falls on the same date every year.
Why is Veterans Day always on November 11?
The first commemoration was on Nov. 11, 1919, one year after the end of World War I, when President Woodrow Wilson originally proclaimed the day as Armistice Day, according to the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Although it was not yet a federal holiday, Armistice Day officially began at “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month,” hence why the holiday is kept on the month and date that uses the number 11.
Originally, celebrations for the holiday consisted of parades, public meetings and a brief suspension of businesses starting at 11 a.m.
Congress made Armistice Day an official holiday on June 4, 1926, after passing a resolution.
When was Armistice Day changed to Veterans Day?
The holiday was first referred to as "Veterans Day" in 1947, when World War II veteran Raymond Weeks organized a "National Veterans Day" to celebrate all veterans, on the same day as Armistice Day.
This was in contrast to the holiday's original meaning, which honored veterans in WWI exclusively.
In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill that made the name change official, which turned the holiday into a day that honored American veterans of all wars.
What is the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is a day for remembering veterans who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of injuries in battle.
Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military, including veterans who are still alive.
Did Veterans Day ever stop taking place on Nov. 11?
On June 28, 1968, the Uniform Holiday Bill was signed into law, ensuring that there would be three-day weekends for federal employees on four national holidays.
The holidays included Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Washington's Birthday and Columbus Day. All weekend holidays would be from Saturday through Monday of their designated week.
The first Veterans Day under the new law took place on Oct. 25, 1971.
The goal was to encourage more travel and celebrations during these holidays, however, many states did not agree with the decision and called to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.
After less than four years, President Gerald Ford signed a new law that kept the Veterans Day holiday on its original Nov. 11 date.