Veterans Day began as Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I, with the first observance on November 11, 1919. It was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all veterans. Key points:
- Origin: Armistice Day, commemorating the 1918 armistice that ended WWI.
- Federal holiday: Armistice Day became a federal holiday in 1938 to honor veterans of WWI.
- Expansion: After WWII and the Korean War, the day was broadened to honor all veterans; in 1954 the name was officially changed to Veterans Day.
- Date adjustment: The observance briefly shifted to the fourth Monday in October due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, but it was restored to November 11 starting in 1978 to honor the WWI armistice and its historical significance.
