Why do we celebrate Veterans Day? Why we honor veterans and what's open and closed for it

Tomorrow another patriotic holiday will be upon us, Veterans Day.

The November holiday isn't as played up as the Fourth of July, but it is a time to honor the men and women who served in the United States military branches and their service to the country. Communities across Tennessee and the nation host events to celebrate veterans.

The federal holiday heralds back to 1954 and the November holiday has an even longer history dating back to before it was known as Veterans Day.

If you aren't familiar with the holiday, here's when Veterans Day 2023 is, the history behind the celebration and its importance to the country.

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When is Veterans Day?

Veterans Day is Saturday, November 11, the date in 1918 that Germany and the Allies signed an agreement to end hostilities in World War I.

What day will Veterans Day 2023 be observed?

Since the holiday is on Saturday, Veterans Day will be observed on Friday, Nov. 10, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"Federal government closings are established by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Generally, when a holiday falls on a non-workday — Saturday or Sunday — the federal government is closed on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday)," read the website.

Some Tennessee schools will also be closed on Friday in observance.

Is Veterans Day a federal holiday?

Yes, Veterans Day is a federal holiday. Meaning that many local and federal government offices will be closed and so will many banks.

What is opened and closed on Veterans Day?

Being a federal holiday and falling on a Saturday, many government offices are closed on Friday in observance of Veterans Day.

As for getting the mail, the U.S. Postal Service will have normal post office operations on Friday, Nov. 10, including mail delivery and retail services, the agency told USA TODAY. But post offices will be closed Saturday, Nov. 11, with no mail delivery, in observance of Veterans Day.

Some banks will be open Friday, but others are choosing to observe Veterans Day on Friday. Check with your local branch for hours.

Other businesses may be closed as well, so be sure to check hours before heading out.

When was Veterans Day recognized as a holiday?

An Act from May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday. But it wasn't known as Veteran Day originally it was first known as Armistice Day — a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace after World War I.

Why is Veterans Day on Nov. 11?

Veterans Day has been around for a long time, but it first started out as Armistice Day.

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11, 1919, to be Armistice Day to honor members of the armed forces who were killed during World War I. The date commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France.

It was in 1954, after World War II and after the Korean Conflict, that Congress amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans". On June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

On October 8, 1954, the first Veterans Day Proclamation was issued by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Veterans Day vs. Memorial Day

Both Veterans Day and Memorial Day honor and celebrate the men and women who have served in the U.S. military. But they are different.

Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor the men and women who have been killed in U.S. wars throughout history. While Veterans Day commemorates and celebrates all of those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

When is the Marine Corps birthday?

The Marine Corps birthday and Veterans Day come hand-in-hand.

The military service branch's birthday is today, Nov. 10. It is the Marine's 248th birthday.

Things to do for Veterans Day

Many communities will hold events for veterans this weekend to honor and celebrate the people who have served. But if you are looking for something a bit more nature-oriented, National Parks throughout the country are free to enter on Veterans Day.

It is one of five fee free days the National Park Service has each year.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Veterans Day 2023: Why we honor veterans on November 11