Difference between Veterans Day, Memorial Day. Both honour US armed forces

Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States. It is observed every year on November 11 to honour military veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces. On similar lines is Memorial Day that is observed to honour the US military community. However, both holidays have different purposes. What’s the difference? Their origins are rooted in two different wars.

Veterans Day

Originally called Armistice Day, it is celebrated every November and honour those who have served in the US armed forces. A federal holiday, Veterans Day is observed on the day when World War I ended in 1918.

The then-president Woodrow Wilson, a year later, celebrated what was originally known as Armistice Day for the first time. However, it was in 1938 that Congress recognised it as an official federal holiday.

The name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day was changed in 1954. In France and elsewhere in Europe, November 11 is still called Armistice Day.

Before being observed on November 11, Veteran’s Day was originally celebrated in October. The Uniform Holiday Act of 1968 changed the dates of the day November 11 to the “fourth Monday in October” to ensure a long weekend.

However, then-president Gerald Ford, in 1975, reverted to the November date due to its history and significance.

Memorial Day

As opposed to Veterans Day, Memorial Day honours those who have died in US military service. This particular day has its roots in the Civil War.

Originally created to honours soldiers who fought the Civil War, it was expanded further to include those who died in all wars.

Memorial Day was previously called Decoration Day, history professor Matthew Dennis told NPR in 2005 and was celebrated on May 30. On this day, the graves of soldiers who died in the Civil War – who fought for the Union and for the Confederacy – were decorated.

The tradition of decorating the graves is believed to have originated in Waterloo.

In 1971, almost a century later, Congress changed the official holiday to the last Monday in May.