On Wednesday, November 11th, we'll thank the men and women who have worn the uniform with parades, ceremonies, and moments of gratitude in towns of every size. 

On Veterans Day, we honor everyone who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces, in wartime or in peacetime, and because 2026 also marks the 250th anniversary of our independence, the VA and the National Park Service have both tied this year's observance to our nation's founding and to the generations of Veterans who have defended it.

Why We Observe Veterans Day on November 11th

We observe Veterans Day on November 11th because of how World War I ended. Fighting between the Allied nations and Germany stopped when an armistice took effect at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, and President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first commemoration of Armistice Day in November 1919. 

Congress made November 11th a holiday in 1938, and in 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, Congress replaced the word "Armistice" with "Veterans" so the day would honor American Veterans of all wars.

For a few years in the 1970s, the federal government observed Veterans Day on a Monday in October under the Uniform Holiday Bill. Many states and Veterans service organizations objected, and in 1975 President Gerald Ford signed a law that returned the observance to November 11th beginning in 1978. Since then, we've marked Veterans Day on November 11th no matter which day of the week it falls on.

Veterans Day 2026

This year's Veterans Day National Observance will take place at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, November 11th, 2026. 

 

Most federal offices, including VA regional offices, close for the holiday, so Veterans who plan to contact the VA that week may want to reach out before or after Wednesday.

 

The National Park Service has also named Veterans Day one of its 2026 fee-free days for the general public, but Veterans can get a free lifetime military pass any day of the year. On November 11th, the National Park Service will waive entrance fees for U.S. residents at parks that normally charge one, although visitors still pay camping, reservation, or any special use permit fees.

The National Park Service offers a free Military Lifetime Pass to Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, and to Gold Star Families. Veterans can pick up the pass in person at many national parks and federal recreation sites or request a free digital pass through Recreation.gov, and with the pass, a Veteran pays no entrance or standard day-use fees at national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, and other federal recreation lands.

Veterans Day and Memorial Day

We observe Memorial Day on the last Monday in May to remember those who died in military service, while on Veterans Day we honor everyone who served, both living and deceased. On November 11th, we can thank the Veterans in our own families and communities in person.

How NewDay USA Has Honored Veterans

In the lead-up to Veterans Day in 2024, nearly two dozen NewDay USA employees and leaders, including Executive Chairman Rear Admiral Thomas C. Lynch (USN, retired), traveled to Washington, D.C., on behalf of the NewDay USA Foundation to help wash the Vietnam Veterans Memorial by hand. That same November, NewDay served as presenting sponsor of the 17th annual Palm Beach County Veterans Parade in downtown West Palm Beach for the third year in a row.

This year, NewDay joined Military Makeover with Montel to honor a local Veteran, and in early 2026 NewDay surveyed 1,238 current and former service members to learn what homeownership means to them and what stands in their way.

NewDay also supports Veterans and their families through the NewDay USA Foundation, which NewDay launched in 2013. Through the Foundation, NewDay awards scholarships to children of fallen or severely wounded Veterans so they can attend JROTC military high schools, and NewDay donates a percentage of its net income to Veteran causes.

Other Dates to Know in November

The Marine Corps' 251st Birthday: Tuesday, November 10th

The day before Veterans Day, Marines around the world celebrate the 251st birthday of their Corps. The Continental Congress created the Marine Corps on November 10th, 1775, and in 1921 Commandant John A. Lejeune declared the date an official Marine Corps holiday, which Marines have celebrated every year since. At birthday celebrations, Marines of every generation hear General Lejeune's birthday message and pass birthday cake from the oldest Marine present to the youngest.

National Veterans and Military Families Month

Presidents have proclaimed November as National Veterans and Military Families Month to honor Veterans along with the spouses, caregivers, and survivors who support them. In the 2024 proclamation, the President called on all of us to honor Veterans and military families with appropriate ceremonies and activities, so our communities can recognize military families throughout the month as well as on November 11th.

Put the Benefit You Earned to Work

If you're ready to use the VA home loan benefit you earned through your service, see how NewDay USA can help you buy a home.

FAQs

What day is Veterans Day in 2026?

Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, November 11th, 2026. The federal government observes Veterans Day on November 11th every year, whichever day of the week it falls on, so most federal offices, including VA regional offices, close that Wednesday.

Why is Veterans Day on November 11th?

The Allied nations and Germany stopped fighting in World War I under an armistice that took effect at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. Congress first made the date Armistice Day and renamed it Veterans Day in 1954 to honor American Veterans of all wars, according to the VA.

What is the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?

On Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, we remember those who died in military service. On Veterans Day, November 11th, we honor everyone who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, both living and deceased.

Are national parks free on Veterans Day 2026?

Yes. The National Park Service will waive entrance fees for U.S. residents on Wednesday, November 11th, although camping, reservation, and permit fees still apply. Veterans can also get a free Military Lifetime Pass and pay no entrance fees at national parks year-round.