what is veterans day for

Veterans Day is a United States federal holiday observed on November 11. It honors all military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in wartime or peacetime, and it originated as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I. In 1954, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day to recognize the service and sacrifices of veterans from all wars, and it is distinct from Memorial Day, which specifically honors those who died in military service. The day is often marked by ceremonies, parades, and expressions of gratitude to veterans across the country. [Sources: general historical summaries and official U.S. tradition descriptions]