Holiday of Gratitude: This is What Happens on Veterans Day in the USA

Veterans Day, a significant holiday honoring all military veterans of the United States, is celebrated annually on November 11. Originally established as Armistice Day, it commemorates the end of World War I on November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m. President Woodrow Wilson described the first anniversary of the armistice in 1919 as a day filled with "solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service." Traditionally, Veterans Day is observed with parades and public gatherings, while a brief moment of silence is held at 11 a.m. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are open on this day, although the bond market traditionally remains closed. This practice, established since 1954, includes a two-minute pause for silence before the market opens to avoid interrupting the trading day. On Veterans Day, the U.S. Post does not deliver letters or packages. However, carriers like UPS and FedEx offer modified services. Many banks, including well-known names like Bank of America, Chase Bank, and Wells Fargo, also remain closed. As it is a federal holiday, all non-essential federal offices are closed. Interestingly, Wisconsin remains the only state that does not recognize Veterans Day as a holiday, despite efforts to change this.