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Veterans Day honors and thanks all those who served honorably in the military – living and dead –
whether in wartime or peace. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living Veterans for their service,
to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact
that all those who serve have sacrificed and done their duty.

While Veterans Day is often confused with Memorial Day, the two observances serve different purposes
and have different histories. Memorial Day, which has its roots in the post-Civil War effort to “memorialize”
all those who died in that war, has become a modern holiday to remember those from all wars and conflicts
who gave their lives in service to the country. To ensure the sacrifices of America’s fallen heroes are never
forgotten, in December 2000 the U.S. Congress passed and the President signed into law “The National
Moment of Remembrance Act” to “encourage the people of the United States to give something back to
their country, which provides them so much freedom and opportunity” by encouraging and coordinating
commemorations of Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance. The National Moment of
Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for
a moment of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.

Veterans Day, however, was first known as Armistice Day as a celebration of the resolution of World War I, a
peace recognized historically on the date and time of that event, November 11, 1918, at 11:00 a.m., and salutes
surviving service members as well as those who have passed away since their service.

In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11th as Veterans Day and
called upon Americans everywhere to re-dedicate themselves to the cause of peace. He issued a presidential
order directing the head of the Veterans Administration (now the Department of Veterans Affairs) to form a
Veterans Day National Committee (VDNC) to organize and oversee the national observance of Veterans Day.
In addition to fulfilling that mission, the committee oversees the annual production and distribution of a
Veterans Day poster and Teachers Resource Guide.

In 1968 in keeping with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Congress briefly moved Veterans Day to the
4th Monday in October, but it became quickly apparent that the American public held fast to the historical
significance of the First World War armistice on November 11, and in 1978 Veterans Day was returned
permanently to its traditional date.

Hence, the Veterans Day National Ceremony is held each year on November 11th at Arlington National
Cemetery. At 11:00 a.m. ET, a color guard made up of members from each branch of the military renders
honors to America’s deceased Veterans during a tradition-rich ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The President or his representative places a wreath at the Tomb and a bugler sounds “Taps.” The balance of
the ceremony, including a “Parade of Flags” by Veterans Service Organizations (VSO), takes place inside the
Memorial Amphitheater, adjacent to the Tomb.

On October 7, 2016, President Obama signed the Veterans Day Moment of Silence Act. The law requires
that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe a two-minute
national moment of silence on Veterans Day at 3:11 p.m. Atlantic standard time, 2:11 p.m. Eastern standard
time, 1:11 p.m. Central standard time, 12:11 p.m. Mountain standard time, 11:11 a.m. Pacific standard time, 10:11
a.m. Alaska standard time, and 9:11 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian standard time.

In addition to planning and coordinating the National Veterans Day Ceremony, the VDNC supports a
number of Veterans Day Regional Sites. These sites conduct Veterans Day celebrations that provide excellent
examples for other communities to follow. To learn more about the Veterans Day National Committee and the
Veterans Day Regional Sites at department.va.gov/veterans-day