Veterans Day 2026 Honors Everyone Who Served

Veterans Day is Wednesday, November 11, a day to say thank you to everyone who has served in the U.S. armed forces.

Veterans contribute to every part of American life, from schools and hospitals to businesses, families, and local communities. We're grateful for their service and the many ways they continue to make a difference.

Source: OPM, Employment of Veterans and Military-Connected Spouses and Survivors in the Federal Executive Branch, FY 2024; U.S. Census Bureau, Facts for Features: Veterans Day 2025.

As a reflection of their continued dedication to serving their country, veterans make up about 27% of the federal executive branch workforce, despite accounting for only about 6% of American adults. They serve across agencies and occupations, bringing the commitment, teamwork, and sense of duty developed through military service to the work of government.

Origins of Veterans Day

Veterans Day began as Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I when the guns fell silent at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. On June 1, 1954, Congress officially renamed the holiday to honor all American veterans, regardless of when or where they served.

A 1968 law moved several federal holidays to Mondays to create long weekends; Veterans Day was one of those holidays. The change caused confusion, and many states continued to observe the holiday on November 11. This prompted President Gerald Ford to sign legislation restoring Veterans Day to its original date, beginning in 1978.

• 1

  1918

  The World War I armistice takes effect at 11 a.m. on November 11.

• 2

  1954

  Armistice Day becomes Veterans Day, honoring all who served.

• 3

  1968

  A law moves Veterans Day and other holidays to Mondays.

• 4

  1978

  Veterans Day returns to November 11 for good.

For Veterans in Federal Service

If you are a veteran working in federal service, two things to check:

Your military years and your pension. Active duty after 1956 counts toward a FERS pension when you pay a deposit, generally 3% of your military basic pay plus interest, before you retire. Military retirees follow separate rules. OPM's service credit page explains it, and FFEBA's military buyback guide and tool show how it works.

Your veterans' preference. If a reduction in force ever happens, OPM's rules add points to the performance credit of preference-eligible veterans: 5 for a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more, and 3 for others.

To the veterans who have served our country, thank you for your service and sacrifice. And to all federal employees enjoying the day off, take a moment to remember and thank the veterans who have helped protect our country and continue to serve our communities. Their contributions deserve recognition today and every day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources: OPM, Employment of Veterans and Military-Connected Spouses and Survivors in the Federal Executive Branch, FY 2024; U.S. Census Bureau, Facts for Features: Veterans Day 2025 (2024 American Community Survey); U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, history of Veterans Day; U.S. Army Center of Military History, history of Veterans Day; OPM, Service Credit page; OPM, Final Regulations on Reduction in Force (memo, September 2, 2026).