Veterans Day Countdown

Veterans Day falls on November 11 every year, honoring everyone who has served in the U.S. armed forces. The date marks the World War I armistice, signed at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. This countdown automatically targets the next one.

How many days until Veterans Day?

Veterans Day is on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, which is 103 days away. The live countdown above ticks down to the exact moment, to the second.

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Veterans Day's story so far

1919President Woodrow Wilson proclaims the first Armistice Day on the first anniversary of the WWI armistice, calling for parades and a pause at 11 a.m. in gratitude for the victory.

1938Congress passes an act making November 11 a federal legal holiday, dedicated to the cause of world peace and celebrated as 'Armistice Day.'

1947WWII veteran Raymond Weeks organizes the first 'National Veterans Day' celebration in Birmingham, Alabama, campaigning to broaden the holiday beyond WWI to honor veterans of all wars.

1954President Dwight Eisenhower signs the bill amending the 1938 act, striking 'Armistice' and inserting 'Veterans,' officially making November 11 Veterans Day.

1968The Uniform Monday Holiday Act shifts Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October, effective 1971.

1971The first Veterans Day under the new law falls on October 25 amid widespread confusion; most states reject the change and keep observing November 11 instead.

1975President Gerald Ford signs a law restoring Veterans Day permanently to November 11, responding to pressure from veterans' groups and state legislatures.

Notable Veterans Day records

Largest Veterans Day paradeNew York City's Veterans Day Parade, running since 1919, is widely cited as the nation's largest, drawing over 20,000 marchers and roughly 400,000 spectators along Fifth Avenue each year

Longest-running Veterans Day paradeBirmingham, Alabama's National Veterans Day Parade traces to Raymond Weeks' first 1947 march — years before the federal holiday existed — making it the nation's oldest, continuously held Veterans Day parade

From Armistice Day

November 11 was first proclaimed Armistice Day in 1919, a year after the guns of World War I fell silent. Congress renamed it Veterans Day in 1954 to honor veterans of every era. After a brief 1970s experiment moving it to a Monday, it returned to the fixed November 11 date in 1978.

Honoring the living

Where Memorial Day remembers those who died in service, Veterans Day honors all who have served. Each year a national ceremony is held at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at 11 a.m.

Quick facts

Observed every November 11
Marks the WWI armistice — the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918
Renamed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954
Honors all who served, while Memorial Day honors those who died in service

A U.S. federal holiday

Veterans Day is one of the 11 official U.S. federal holidays. Not sure which one comes next? The next federal holiday countdown always ticks down to whichever is soonest — and the next long weekend countdown tells you when you're off work for 3 days straight.

Honor those who served

Fly the flag, say thank you, and hear their stories.

American flag Thank-you cards for veterans Flag display case Military memoirs Veteran gifts Care package supplies

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Learn more

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Wikipedia

Veterans Day — frequently asked questions

When is Veterans Day?

Veterans Day is on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

How many days until Veterans Day?

Veterans Day is on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, which is 103 days away. The live countdown above ticks down to the exact moment, to the second.

Updated July 2026 · alarm-clock.org

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