Understanding Veterans Day: A Federal Holiday in 2026

Is Veterans Day a Federal Holiday? (2026 Update)

Yes, Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States. Observed annually on November 11, it is one of 11 legal public holidays established under federal law (5 U.S.C. § 6103). The day honors all U.S. military veterans, and while the official date remains November 11, the federal observance date shifts when the holiday falls on a weekend. For 2026, Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, November 11 and will be observed on that date.

Quick Facts

What the Law Says: Veterans Day as a Federal Holiday

The federal law establishing Veterans Day as a legal public holiday comes from Title 5 of the United States Code, Section 6103. This statute explicitly lists Veterans Day, November 11, as one of 11 legal public holidays recognized by the federal government .

The legal designation means:

• • • Federal employees receive paid time off

    • Federal offices close for business

    • Federal courts are closed 

    • USPS suspends regular mail delivery

The law does not require private employers, state governments, or local governments to close, though many choose to do so.

When is Veterans Day Observed by the Federal Government?

While the law sets Veterans Day on November 11, the federal government follows an observance rule for holidays that fall on weekends. Per 5 U.S.C. § 6103, when November 11 falls on a Saturday, the holiday is observed on the preceding Friday. When it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday .

For example, in 2024, November 11 fell on a Monday, so the holiday was observed on Monday, November 11. In 2025, November 11 falls on a Tuesday, so the federal government observes it on that Tuesday, November 11. For 2026, Veterans Day falls on a Wednesday, and it will be observed on Wednesday, November 11 .

Important: The observance date change affects federal employees and federal operations. It does not change the date of commemorative events, which traditionally remain on November 11.

History: From Armistice Day to Veterans Day

Veterans Day began as Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I. The armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month—November 11, 1918.

On May 13, 1938, Congress passed an act making November 11 a legal holiday “dedicated to the cause of world peace” and to be known as Armistice Day . The holiday primarily honored World War I veterans.

After World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd Congress amended the Act of 1938 on June 1, 1954, striking the word “Armistice” and inserting the word “Veterans.” This change, through Public Law 380, made November 11 a day to honor all American veterans .

Today, Veterans Day continues to honor all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, whether in wartime or peacetime, living or deceased.

Who Gets Veterans Day Off?

Federal law guarantees Veterans Day as a paid holiday for federal employees. Beyond the federal government, who gets the day off depends on:

Federal Government

All non-essential federal employees receive a paid day off. Essential employees (e.g., military personnel, law enforcement, air traffic controllers) may be required to work but receive holiday pay or compensatory time.

State Governments

Most states recognize Veterans Day as a holiday, but observance varies. Some states close state offices and give employees a paid day off. Others may not provide a paid holiday.

Private Sector

Private employers are not required by federal law to give Veterans Day off. Many businesses remain open, though some offer it as a paid holiday.

Banks and Financial Institutions

The Federal Reserve closes on Veterans Day, so most banks are closed. Stock markets (NYSE, NASDAQ) have their own observance policies—they may remain open or close.

USPS

The U.S. Postal Service does not deliver regular mail on Veterans Day. Post offices are closed.

Courts

Federal courts are closed on Veterans Day. State and local courts vary.

What Is Open and Closed on Veterans Day?

Veterans Day vs. Memorial Day: Know the Difference

These two federal holidays are often confused, but they honor different groups of service members.

Common Questions

1. Is Veterans Day always on November 11?

Yes, the law sets Veterans Day for November 11 every year. However, the federal government observes the holiday on the closest weekday when the date falls on a weekend. If November 11 is a Saturday, the federal observance is Friday, November 10. If it is a Sunday, the observance is Monday, November 12 .

2. What is the difference between Veterans Day and Armed Forces Day?

Veterans Day honors all who have served in the military at any time, both living and deceased. Armed Forces Day, observed on the third Saturday in May, honors currently serving active-duty service members. Both are recognized but only Veterans Day is a federal holiday.

3. Do veterans get paid time off for Veterans Day?

Private sector veterans do not automatically receive paid time off on Veterans Day. Federal law does not require private employers to give employees—veterans or non-veterans—paid time off. Veterans who are federal employees do receive the paid holiday.

4. Do schools close on Veterans Day?

Public schools may close for Veterans Day, but it varies by school district. Many districts use Veterans Day as a teacher training day or remain open with special assemblies honoring veterans. Some states require or encourage school closures.

5. What is the legal authority for Veterans Day as a federal holiday?

The federal law designating Veterans Day as a legal public holiday is 5 U.S.C. § 6103. This statute lists all 11 federal holidays, including Veterans Day on November 11 .

6. Are state governments required to close on Veterans Day?

No. Federal law only requires federal government offices to close. State governments may choose to close or remain open. Many states give state employees the day off, but this is not a federal requirement.

7. Is the post office open on Veterans Day?

No. The U.S. Postal Service does not deliver regular mail on Veterans Day. Post offices are closed. Express mail services may have limited delivery, but standard mail service resumes the next business day.

8. Are VA hospitals open on Veterans Day?

Yes, VA hospitals and clinics generally remain open on Veterans Day and operate on regular schedules. Medical care for veterans continues without interruption.

9. Why is Veterans Day on the 11th of November?

Veterans Day is on November 11 because the armistice ending World War I went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. The date was first commemorated as Armistice Day in 1938 and was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 .

10. Does the federal government observe Veterans Day on a different day than the official date?

Sometimes. The federal government observes the holiday on the date specified by law. When November 11 falls on a Saturday, the holiday is observed on Friday, November 10. When it falls on a Sunday, the observance is Monday, November 12 . Commemorative events typically remain on November 11 regardless of the federal observance date.

11. Do private companies have to give Veterans Day off?

No. Private employers are not required to give Veterans Day off. Some choose to do so, and union contracts may guarantee the day, but federal law does not mandate it.

12. Is Veterans Day a federal holiday in all states?

Veterans Day is a federal holiday nationwide. State governments may or may not grant their employees the day off. However, the federal designation applies across all states—federal offices close everywhere.

13. What happens if Veterans Day falls on a weekend for federal employees?

When Veterans Day falls on a Saturday, federal employees observe it on Friday. When it falls on a Sunday, the observance is Monday. This is governed by 5 U.S.C. § 6103 .

14. Is there mail delivery on Veterans Day?

No regular mail delivery on Veterans Day. USPS suspends regular delivery and closes post offices. Some private carriers (FedEx, UPS) may operate with modified schedules.

Key Takeaways

• • • Veterans Day is a federal holiday established by 5 U.S.C. § 6103, observed annually on November 11 .

    • Federal offices, courts, and USPS close on Veterans Day; most banks are closed.

    • Private employers are not required to give Veterans Day off—federal law only applies to federal government operations.

    • When November 11 falls on a weekend, the federal observance shifts to the nearest weekday—Friday for a Saturday date, Monday for a Sunday date .

    • Veterans Day honors all living and deceased veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, distinguishing it from Memorial Day (honors the fallen) and Armed Forces Day (honors active-duty service members) .

    • The holiday originated as Armistice Day in 1938 and was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 .

    • State and local observance varies, with many states closing offices and schools, though this is not federally required.

    • Veterans Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, November 11, and the federal government observes the holiday on that date .

Official Resources

• • OPM Federal Holidays – Office of Personnel Management listing of federal holidays: opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays 

  • VA Veterans Day Information – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: va.gov

  • USA.gov Federal Holidays – Official U.S. government information: usa.gov

  • Federal Holidays Statute (5 U.S.C. 6103) – Full text: govinfo.gov 

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