What Holiday Is Today (Nov. 11)? Veterans Day—What It Honors, What’s Open, and 2025 Federal Holidays at a Glance

Bassyonni

ago 2 hours

What Holiday Is Today

Today is Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2025—a U.S. federal holiday that honors all Americans who have served in the Armed Forces. It falls every year on November 11 to mark the armistice that ended major hostilities in World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Originally called Armistice Day, it was broadened in 1954 to honor veterans of all U.S. wars and peacetime service.

Is Today a Federal/National Holiday? What’s Closed and What’s Open

Yes. Veterans Day is a federal holiday, so most federal offices are closed. Here’s how the day typically looks:

Mail & Package Delivery: USPS post offices are closed and regular mail does not run (Priority Mail Express is the exception). UPS and FedEx generally operate with normal or slightly modified services.
Banks: Many banks and credit unions are closed; ATMs and online banking remain available.
Stock & Bond Markets: NYSE and Nasdaq are open on Veterans Day; the U.S. bond market is closed.
State/Local Government: Many state and local offices (including DMVs) close; policies vary by state.
Retail & Restaurants: Most are open, often with Veterans Day discounts for service members.

Schools and Trash Pickup: What to Expect

Are schools closed today? Many public schools close for Veterans Day, but it varies by district.
Is there school tomorrow (Nov. 12)? In most places, yes—classes resume the next day.
Is there garbage pickup on Veterans Day? This varies by city/town and hauler. Some run normal schedules, others delay by one day. Check your local sanitation or city website/app for specifics.

Why Veterans Day Is on November 11

Veterans Day stays anchored to November 11 to preserve its historical significance. Congress briefly moved it to a Monday in the 1970s under a “uniform Monday” plan, but the holiday was restored to its original date to keep the armistice connection front and center.

Veterans Day vs. Memorial Day

Veterans Day (Nov. 11): Honors all U.S. military veterans, living and deceased.
Memorial Day (last Monday in May): Honors those who died in military service to the United States.

Both are federal holidays, but their purposes differ: one recognizes service, the other sacrifice.

Is Veterans Day a “National Holiday”?

It’s a federal holiday recognized nationwide. That means federal employees receive the day off (with weekend-observed rules below), but private employers and schools set their own policies. That’s why some services stay open.

Observed-Date Rules (When Nov. 11 Falls on a Weekend)

If Nov. 11 is a Saturday → the federal observance is Friday (Nov. 10).
If Nov. 11 is a Sunday → the federal observance is Monday (Nov. 12).
In 2025, Nov. 11 is a Tuesday, so the holiday is observed today.

Federal Holidays in 2025 (U.S.)

Date (2025)	Holiday
Wed, Jan 1	New Year’s Day
Mon, Jan 20	Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Mon, Jan 20*	Inauguration Day (observed in the Washington, D.C. area only, every four years)
Mon, Feb 17	Washington’s Birthday (Presidents Day)
Mon, May 26	Memorial Day
Thu, Jun 19	Juneteenth National Independence Day
Fri, Jul 4	Independence Day
Mon, Sep 1	Labor Day
Mon, Oct 13	Columbus Day (some jurisdictions also mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day)
Tue, Nov 11	Veterans Day
Thu, Nov 27	Thanksgiving Day
Thu, Dec 25	Christmas Day

*Inauguration Day is a federal holiday only for federal employees in the D.C. area and some surrounding jurisdictions.

Quick Answers to Today’s Most-Searched Questions

What holiday is 11/11? Veterans Day.
Why do we celebrate Veterans Day? To honor all U.S. veterans for their service.
Is today a holiday / a federal holiday? Yes—for federal employees and many public institutions.
Is Veterans Day a national holiday? It’s a federal holiday observed nationwide; closures vary in the private sector.
When is Veterans Day observed? Always November 11 (with Friday/Monday observance when it falls on a weekend).
Is there school today/tomorrow? Often closed today; typically open tomorrow, but confirm with your district.
Is there garbage pickup today? Check local schedules—some run normal service; others delay by a day.
Are markets open? Stock markets are open; bond markets are closed.
Is the post office open? Closed (no regular mail).

Today’s bottom line: Veterans Day honors those who served. Many public services pause, while most retail stays open. If you need specific local details—schools, trash, clinics—check your local agency’s notice for Nov. 11.