Veterans Day 2020 - The Exceptional Home Team

Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 is Veterans day this year. As a federal holiday Veterans Day is typically observed on November 11th every year. However, if it occurs on a Sunday then the following Monday is designated as the Federal holiday, and if it occurs on a Saturday then either Saturday or Friday may be designated.

When the Federal holiday and November 11th dates are different, Veterans Day activities may take place on both days; many activities are often scheduled the weekend leading up to Veterans Day even during years when both dates match.

2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII, the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War, and the 30th anniversary of both the end of the Panama Invasion and the beginning of Desert Shield.

About Veterans Day

Veterans Day is observed every year on November 11th. Veterans Day evolved from Armistice Day, which was proclaimed in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson. Armistice is when warring parties agree to stop fighting; Armistice Day recognizes the end of World War One when hostilities ceased on November 11th at 11 A.M, 1918 (11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month).

In 1954 Congress changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954 to recognize Veterans of all U.S. wars.

Some say Raymond Weeks was the first “official” Veterans Day. Although the residents of Emporia, Kansas disagree. According to the Emporia Conventional and Visitor Bureau official site, “In 1953 Veterans Day was organized and celebrated in Emporia, Kansas; one year prior to the first nationwide observance on November 11, 1954.”

The observance wasn’t always held on the 11th of the month; History.com reports that decades later in 1968, legislation known as the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed by Congress, moving Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October as of 1971. This didn’t last long; in 1975 President Gerald Ford returned the observance to November 11, due at least in part to the historic nature of the date.

Veterans Day Guide to Offers

New York City Parade on November 11, 2020. This year’s event includes a Veterans Day motorcade, Virtual line of march, motorcycle ride, wreath layings, television specials, and more.

Emporia, Kansas “Founding City” Veterans Day Parade on November 11, 2020 – The “official founding city of Veterans Day” Emporia, Kansas, Veterans Day Parade is on Wednesday 11/11, at 9:30 am, plus many other events to celebrate veterans between 11/1 and 11/11.

National Cemetery Administration Veterans Day Events – Multiple cities
This listing is in alphabetic order by state.

National Veterans Day Regional Sites – The Veterans Day National Committee recognizes select Veterans Day observances throughout the country that represent fitting tributes to America’s heroes serve as models for other communities to follow in planning their own observances.

Wounded Warrior Project ‘Honoring Our Warriors’ Virtual Event– Virtual
A virtual Veterans Day celebration to encourage Americans everywhere to celebrate Veterans Day from home. The virtual event will be hosted by former NFL quarterback and current football analyst for ESPN Jesse Palmer, and includes musical performances, as well as veteran tributes during the broadcast on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 11:30 a.m. EST / 10:30 CST / 8:30 PST on the nonprofit’s Facebook Page and YouTube channel.

Honor veterans in Washington, D.C. by visiting national monuments.

Veterans Day Moment of Silence

The Veterans Day Moment of Silence calls on all Americans to observe two minutes of silence on Veterans Day, beginning at 3:11 pm Atlantic standard time, in honor of the service and sacrifice of veterans throughout the history of the nation. The 3:11 pm time was chose because in 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I.

Difference Between Veterans Day and Memorial Day

Memorial Day is for remembering and honoring military personnel who dies in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of a wound sustained in battle.

Veterans Day is intended to thank all those who honorably served in the military – in war time or peace time.

The Anthem Veterans Memorial has five pillars that represent the five branches of the United States military. They are staggered in size and the military seal placements on each pillar are based upon the Department of Defense prescribed precedence, ranging from the United States Army, the United States Marine Corp, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, and the United States Coast Guard. Note: The Anthem was created before the 6th branch of the military, the Space Force was created.

At precisely 11:11 AM on Veterans Day, November 11th, the sun’s rays will pass through each of the five pillars’ elliptical openings to illuminate a glass mosaic medallion of the Great Seal of the United States.

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