Veterans Day is an American holiday honoring military veterans. Both a federal and state holiday in the U.S, it is celebrated on the same day as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world. Falling on November 11th, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)
Armistice Day was first commemorated in the United States by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919, 30 states made it a legal holiday. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 inviting all Americans to observe the day, and made it a legal holiday nationwide in 1938. It has been observed annually on November 11th since then - first as Armistice Day, later as Veterans Day.
