Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary
of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Veterans
Day pays tribute to all American veterans–living or dead–but especially gives
thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or
peacetime.