Veterans Day

When November 11 falls on a weekday, Government Offices and Public Schools are closed on the true Veterans Day. If the 11th falls on a Saturday, Government Offices and Public Schools may be closed the preceding Friday. The years that November 11th falls on a Sunday, Government Offices and Public Schools are almost always closed the following Monday in observance of Veterans Day. Private schools and businesses may choose whether to follow the local municipal calendar for observed holidays.

Regardless of the local practice for school and workplace closures for Veterans Day, the Danvers Veterans Office almost always conducts its Ceremony to Honor Veterans on November 11, each year, as do the majority of Veterans' Services Offices, and other Veterans organizations in the surrounding cities and towns.

On October 7, 2016, President Obama signed the Veterans Day Moment of Silence Act. The new law requires that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe a two-minute national moment of silence on Veterans Day at 3:11 pm. Atlantic standard time, 2:11 pm eastern standard time, 1:11 pm central standard time, 12:11 pm mountain standard time, 11:11 am. Pacific standard time, 10:11 am. Alaska standard time, and 9:11 am. Hawaii-Aleutian standard time.

Read about how Americans fought to restore Veterans Day to November 11.

Veterans Day is a U.S. federal holiday, observed annually on November 11, to honor the service of all U.S. Armed Forces, from all eras. Read More About the History of Veterans Day.

Both holidays were established to recognize and honor the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. Memorial Day, which is observed on the last Monday in May, was originally set aside as a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.

While those who died are also remembered on Veterans Day, which is observed on November 11, Veterans Day is intended to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living Veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty.