Veterans Day is a public holiday held on the anniversary of the end of World War I, on November 11, to honor US veterans and victims of all wars. This holiday is a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Veterans Day wasn’t always called that—and it has to do with how the holiday got started. Veterans Day can trace its origins back to November 11, 1919, the one-year anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. President Woodrow Wilson declared that day “Armistice Day.” In 1926, Congress passed a resolution to make it an annual occurrence.