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Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. That is 15 days away.

Veterans Day honors the men and women who have served in the United States armed forces. It recognizes everyone who has worn the uniform, in war and in peacetime, whether they served for a few years or a full career.

The day is a federal holiday. Many government offices, banks and schools close, and mail is not delivered. For veterans, it is often a day spent with family, with friends from their units, or at gatherings with others who served.

Communities mark it in plain, steady ways. Towns hold parades and ceremonies at memorials and courthouses. Schools invite veterans to speak about their service. Flags appear on porches and along main streets. Some veterans wear caps or pins naming their branch, their unit or the conflict in which they served, and people sometimes stop to thank them.

The day centers on those who are still with us, while also remembering those who are not. Many of the people it honors are neighbors, coworkers and relatives: the uncle who served aboard a ship, the coworker who spent years in the Air Force, the grandmother who was a nurse in the Army. Their service often goes unspoken in daily life, and the day gives a moment to recognize it.

A simple conversation can matter. Asking a veteran where they served, and listening to the answer, is one of the most common ways people observe the day.

Ways to honor this day

• Display an American flag at your home.
• Attend a local parade or ceremony at a veterans memorial.
• Write a note of thanks to a veteran you know.
• Ask a veteran in your family about their service and listen.
• Visit a veterans cemetery or memorial in your area.

Dates

All national days on November 11

Categories: Federal holidaysCommemorative days