You’re probably looking at your calendar, seeing a stray Monday or Tuesday in the middle of autumn, and wondering if you actually have to go into the office. Or maybe you're seeing a flood of "Single’s Day" ads for cheap electronics and wondering how a day for veterans turned into a global shopping spree. Honestly, it’s a valid question. November 11 is what day? Depending on where you live, it’s a somber memorial, a massive celebration of consumerism, or just a day where the mail doesn't show up.
It’s complex.
Most people in the U.S. know it as Veterans Day. In the UK, Canada, and Australia, it’s Remembrance Day. But if you’re in China or scrolling through AliExpress, it’s 11.11, the biggest shopping event on the planet. This single date carries a heavy historical weight while simultaneously driving billions of dollars in modern e-commerce. It’s a weird, fascinating collision of the past and the present.
The Weight of 1918: Why We Stop at 11:00 AM
The history of November 11 starts in a railway carriage in the Forest of Compiègne. It was 1918. The "Great War"—what we now call World War I—had been tearing Europe apart for four brutal years. At 5:00 AM, an armistice was signed. The agreement was that the fighting would stop at the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month."
Think about that for a second.
Can you imagine being a soldier in a trench, knowing the war ends at 11:00 AM, but it’s only 9:00 AM? You’re still dodging shells for two hours because of a mathematical coincidence. Tragically, many did die in those final hours. Because of that specific timing, the number 11 became synonymous with peace and the cost of war.
In the United States, President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day in 1919. It wasn't actually a legal holiday yet; that didn't happen until 1938. He wanted a day to reflect on the heroism of those who died in the service of the country. But then, World War II happened. Then Korea. It became clear that "Armistice Day" was too narrow. In 1954, after a massive push by veterans' organizations, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the legislation that officially changed the name to Veterans Day.
Now, here is where people get confused. Memorial Day is for those who died. Veterans Day is primarily for those who served and are still with us. It’s a day to thank your neighbor, your dad, or your coworker.
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The Red Poppy and the Commonwealth
If you go to London or Toronto in early November, you’ll see everyone wearing a little red paper flower on their lapel. This is the Remembrance Poppy. The tradition comes from the poem In Flanders Fields, written by John McCrae, a Canadian physician who noticed poppies growing over the graves of fallen soldiers.
While Americans usually celebrate with parades and discounts for former military members, the Commonwealth countries tend to keep things a bit more quiet. At exactly 11:00 AM on November 11, millions of people stop what they are doing for two minutes of silence. It’s hauntingly beautiful if you’re in a busy city like London; the traffic stops, the shouting ends, and the world just... pauses.
When 11.11 Became the World’s Biggest Sale
But what if you aren't thinking about history? What if your inbox is just full of 50% off coupons?
Enter Single’s Day.
Originally, this had nothing to do with war or veterans. It started in the 1990s at Nanjing University in China. Basically, a few college guys decided they wanted a day to celebrate being single—a sort of "Anti-Valentine's Day." They chose November 11 because the date looks like four "bare sticks" (11/11), which is Chinese slang for people who aren't married.
It was a small, niche thing until 2009. That's when Daniel Zhang, the CEO of Alibaba (the Chinese version of Amazon), saw a massive business opportunity. He turned it into a 24-hour shopping festival.
The numbers are genuinely insane. To give you some perspective:
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- Cyber Monday in the US usually generates around $12-13 billion.
- Single's Day (11.11) often clears over $80 billion.
It’s the day when Taylor Swift or Katy Perry might show up at a gala in Shanghai to count down the seconds until people can start buying discounted rice cookers and skincare products. It is the peak of modern capitalism, sitting right on top of a date that used to be reserved for mourning.
Is November 11 a Federal Holiday?
If you're asking "November 11 is what day" because you want to know if the bank is open, here is the deal for 2026 and beyond. In the U.S., it is a federal holiday.
This means:
- Post Offices: Closed. No mail delivery.
- Banks: Most are closed, though ATMs obviously work.
- Courts and Government Offices: Closed.
- Schools: This is a toss-up. Some districts close, others stay open and hold assemblies to honor veterans. You’ll need to check your local district calendar.
- Private Businesses: Most stay open. Unlike Christmas or Thanksgiving, the retail world doesn't shut down for Veterans Day. In fact, it’s one of the biggest days for "Veterans Day Sales."
One weird quirk of the calendar: If November 11 falls on a Saturday, the federal "observed" holiday is usually the Friday before. If it falls on a Sunday, it's observed on the following Monday. This ensures government employees still get their day off.
The Religious and Cultural Significance: St. Martin's Day
Before the wars and the shopping, November 11 was Martinmas.
In many parts of Europe, particularly Germany and the Netherlands, this is the feast day of St. Martin of Tours. Legend has it he was a Roman soldier who cut his cloak in half to share it with a beggar.
For kids in these countries, November 11 is "Lantern Day." They build paper lanterns, light candles inside, and march through the streets singing songs. It’s also traditionally the time when the "winter corn" is sown and the slaughter of cattle for the winter happens. In a way, it’s the original Thanksgiving. It marks the end of the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold months.
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Why We Get the Name Wrong
We need to talk about the apostrophe. Or the lack of one.
A lot of people write it as "Veteran's Day" or "Veterans' Day." Both are technically wrong according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It is Veterans Day—no apostrophe. Why? Because it’s not a day that "belongs" to veterans; it’s a day honoring all veterans. It’s an attributive noun, not a possessive one.
Small detail? Sure. But if you're writing a card or a social media post, it's a good way to show you actually know what's up.
Making the Most of the Day
So, how should you actually handle the day? If you’re a veteran, look for the deals. Tons of major chains like Applebee’s, Starbucks, and Golden Corral offer free meals or coffee. It’s a small gesture, but hey, free coffee is free coffee.
If you’re a civilian, it’s a good time to do more than just post a flag emoji.
- Visit a National Cemetery: Most have ceremonies that are open to the public.
- Support a VSO: Organizations like the Team Rubicon or the USO do actual boots-on-the-ground work.
- Just ask: If you know a veteran, ask them about their service. Not everyone wants to talk about it, but many appreciate the acknowledgment that they spent a chunk of their life in a uniform.
Essential Takeaways for November 11
- Check your local mail: If it's a weekday, don't expect that package to arrive; USPS takes the day off.
- Verify school schedules: Don't assume your kids have the day off just because the bank is closed.
- Shop mindfully: If you’re looking for tech deals, look at international sites like AliExpress or Lazada, but be prepared for long shipping times from the Single's Day rush.
- Observe the silence: If you find yourself in a Commonwealth country, remember the 11:00 AM silence. It’s considered very disrespectful to keep talking or making noise during those two minutes.
Whether you're reflecting on the end of WWI, thanking a family member for their service, or just hunting for a deal on a new TV, November 11 is a heavy-hitter on the calendar. It’s a day of memory, a day of transition into winter, and a day of massive global commerce. Just don't forget the "no apostrophe" rule when you're texting your friends about it.