You’re probably staring at your calendar or checking your phone’s notification tray wondering if you missed a memo. It happens. We get caught up in work, the kids' soccer practice, or just the general blur of a Tuesday, and suddenly you're asking, is it Veterans Day today? If today isn't November 11th, then the short answer is no. Unlike Memorial Day, which bounces around to give us a three-day weekend in May, Veterans Day is anchored. It’s a fixed point. November 11th. Period.
Wait.
There is one little catch. If November 11th falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal government usually scoots the observed holiday to Friday or Monday. This creates a weird situation where the "holiday" and the "day" aren't technically the same thing. People get confused. They show up to a closed post office on a Monday when the actual anniversary was Sunday. It’s a mess sometimes. But the heart of the day—the reason we actually pause—never moves.
Why the 11th of November?
History isn't always neat, but this date is. It’s tied to the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month." That’s 1918. World War I. The Great War. When the armistice was signed between the Allies and Germany, it wasn't just a ceasefire; it was the end of a level of slaughter the world hadn't really processed yet.
Originally, we called it Armistice Day. President Woodrow Wilson wanted it to be a day of "solemn pride." He wasn't thinking about mattress sales or bank holidays. He was thinking about the millions of people who never came home from the trenches in France.
But then World War II happened. Then Korea.
By 1954, a guy named Raymond Weeks—a World War II vet from Birmingham, Alabama—decided that "Armistice Day" was too narrow. It only honored the WWI crowd. He pushed to expand it to honor all veterans. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who obviously knew a thing or two about leading soldiers, signed the legislation that changed the name officially to Veterans Day.
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The great calendar experiment of 1968
Here is a bit of trivia that explains why people still ask is it Veterans Day today with such uncertainty. Back in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. They wanted to give federal employees more three-day weekends. Sounds great, right? They moved Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, and... Veterans Day.
For a few years in the 1970s, Veterans Day was celebrated on the fourth Monday of October. It was a disaster.
States hated it. Veterans groups hated it. It felt like the historical significance was being traded for a long weekend and a trip to the lake. The confusion was so bad that many states just ignored the federal law and kept celebrating it on November 11th anyway. Imagine the chaos of having different holidays depending on which state line you crossed.
Finally, in 1975, President Gerald Ford saw the writing on the wall. He signed a law that returned Veterans Day to its original November 11th date starting in 1978. Since then, it’s stayed put. We learned our lesson: you don't mess with the 11th.
Is everything closed today?
This is usually why people are searching. You need to mail a package or cash a check.
Since it’s a federal holiday, the big stuff shuts down. The U.S. Postal Service takes the day off. Most banks follow the Federal Reserve schedule, so they’ll be dark too. However, private businesses are a complete toss-up. Some tech companies in Silicon Valley might treat it as a regular workday, while a small-town hardware store might close out of respect.
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Public schools are another wildcard. In some states, it’s a mandatory holiday. In others, they stay open but hold assemblies to honor former students who served. If you're looking at your empty driveway wondering why the mailman hasn't come, check the date. If it’s the 11th (or the observed federal Monday/Friday), that’s your answer.
Veterans Day vs. Memorial Day (The mistake people make)
Honestly, this is the most common social faux pas.
- Memorial Day: This is for the fallen. It’s a somber day for those who died in service.
- Veterans Day: This is for the living. It’s a celebration of everyone who wore the uniform, whether they saw combat or served in a desk job in Nebraska.
If you see a veteran today, it’s perfectly appropriate to say "Thank you for your service." On Memorial Day, that same phrase can feel a bit awkward or even painful for families who lost someone. Veterans Day is the time for the parade, the handshake, and the "glad you're here" sentiment.
Real stories from the front
I talked to a friend of mine, Mike, who served in the 10th Mountain Division. He told me that for him, the day isn't about the free appetizers at Applebee’s—though he’ll take the wings. It’s about the text thread with his old squad. They check in. They talk about who’s struggling and who’s doing well.
For many vets, the day is an anchor for their community. It’s a moment where the "civilian-military divide" shrinks just a little bit. When you ask is it Veterans Day today, you’re tapping into a day that carries a lot of weight for about 18 million Americans.
What to do if it IS Veterans Day
If the calendar says November 11th, don't just sit there. There are actual things you can do that aren't just posting a flag emoji on Instagram.
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- Check the VA's official list: The Department of Veterans Affairs usually publishes a massive list of discounts and freebies. If you're a vet, go get your free coffee. You earned it.
- Visit a National Cemetery: Places like Arlington or even your local state veterans cemetery are incredibly moving on this day. They usually have wreath-laying ceremonies that will give you chills.
- Write a letter: Organizations like Operation Gratitude make it easy to send notes to active duty troops and veterans. It takes five minutes.
- Check your local parade schedule: Most major cities (and many tiny ones) run their parades on the 11th regardless of the day of the week.
The global perspective
We aren't the only ones doing this. In the UK, Canada, and Australia, they call it Remembrance Day or Poppy Day. You’ll see people wearing little red silk poppies on their lapels. It’s the same vibe, same history, same November 11th roots.
In France, it’s a massive national holiday. They call it L'Armistice. They take it very seriously there, partly because the scars of the World Wars are physically etched into their landscape.
Why we still care in 2026
The world is noisy. Politics are messy. But Veterans Day usually manages to sit slightly above the fray. It’s a day about the people, not the policy. Whether someone served in 1960 or 2020, they shared a specific set of experiences—the early mornings, the missed birthdays, the rigid structure, and the bonds formed in high-stress environments.
So, if you woke up wondering is it Veterans Day today, and it turns out it is, take a second. Look around. You probably know a vet. Your neighbor, your barista, your dentist. They don't usually wear the uniform anymore, but the 11th is the one day we all collectively agree to notice.
Actionable steps for right now
If it's November 11th:
- Confirm closures: Call your bank or local municipal office before driving over.
- Reach out: Text that one friend who served. Just a simple "Thinking of you today" goes a long way.
- Donate: If you're feeling generous, look into the Fisher House Foundation or the Gary Sinise Foundation. They do incredible work for vet families.
If it's NOT November 11th:
- Mark your calendar: Set a recurring alert for November 11th so you aren't caught off guard next year.
- Learn a story: Pick up a book like The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien or watch a documentary. Understanding the veteran experience shouldn't just happen once a year.
The date matters because the people matter. It’s as simple as that. Keep the 11th on your radar, not just for the day off, but for the people who made that day off possible.