Is Veterans Day A Federal Holiday?

If you're trying to figure out your November schedule, you might be asking the question: is Veterans Day a federal holiday? It's a valid question, and I'm here to answer it for you. Nobody wants to show up at the office on a day when it's closed — and on a day like Veterans Day, there are much more useful ways to be spending your time that will help to honor both our fallen heroes and returning veterans in America.

Whether it's sharing some words of support for our veterans on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, personally thanking a veteran you know for his or her contribution to this country, or donating to a veterans charity program, Nov. 11 should be a day spent giving thanks. We all live busy lives, but this is one of the few things that's truly worth setting time aside for.

As for whether or not you'll be getting the day off work, keep reading to find out below. You'll also be filled in on what day Veterans Day falls on, as well why exactly it is we celebrate Veterans Day. Be sure to put your Nov. 11 to good use — even the smallest act of thanks to a veteran counts.

Is Veterans Day A Federal Holiday?

The short answer to this question is, yes, Veterans Day is a federal holiday. According to the United States Office of Personal Management, the federal law establishes Veterans Day as a federal holiday. While the holiday will usually fall on a weekday, if it were to fall on a Saturday or Sunday, it would be observed on the Friday or Monday surrounding that weekend.

When Is Veterans Day?

Veterans Day always falls on Nov. 11. In 2016, Veterans Day will fall on a Friday, but this is, obviously, not always the case. Veterans Day can fall on any day of the week, from Monday through Saturday. In 2017, Veterans Day will fall on Saturday, in 2018, Veterans Day will fall on Sunday, and so forth.

Why Do We Celebrate Veterans Day?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recounts the history of Veterans Day, stating that it was President Woodrow Wilson who proclaimed the holiday as being a day to "be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations." Simply put, Veterans Day exists to commemorate those who have served the country.

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