Veterans Day was established as Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I, with federal status as a holiday enacted in 1938. It was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all veterans, and in 1978 the date was restored to November 11 to preserve the historical significance of the armistice. Key points
- Origins: November 11, 1918 armistice ended WWI; first Armistice Day observance on November 11, 1919.
- Federal holiday: Armistice Day designated by law in 1938.
- Name change: Renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all veterans.
- Date alignment: Brief move to the fourth Monday in October under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act (1968); returned to November 11 nationwide starting in 1978.
