Community & veterans
From Armistice to Veterans Day
The guns of the First World War fell silent at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The holiday that grew from that moment now honors everyone who has served.
2A Digital · November 2025 issue ·
The armistice ending the fighting of World War I took effect on November 11, 1918. In the years that followed, Americans marked the date as Armistice Day, a day to remember the end of what many hoped would be the last great war.
Armistice Day became a legal federal holiday in 1938. After World War II and the Korean War, veterans' organizations encouraged Congress to broaden the day's meaning, and in 1954 it was renamed Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day. Memorial Day, in May, remembers those who died in service. Veterans Day, in November, thanks all who served — living and departed, in wartime and peacetime.
There are many ways to mark the day: attend a local ceremony, visit a veterans' memorial, volunteer at a veterans' post, or simply ask a veteran in your life about their service and listen. Many communities also hold shooting-sports and outdoor events organized by and for veterans.
If you are part of a club or group that wants to support veterans year-round, consider an annual fundraiser or a mentoring program for veterans returning to hunting and shooting sports.
Memorial Day remembers those who died in service; Veterans Day thanks all who served.
Educational content only — not legal advice. Laws on firearms, carry, transport and self-defense vary by state and change; confirm current rules with a licensed attorney or official state resources. Always follow the universal firearm safety rules and train with a qualified instructor.