Veteran's Day is November 11

Veteran's Day for 2009 is Wednesday, November 11th. Started in November 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson, the first Veteran's Day (then called Armistice Day) was created to commemorate those that had served and died in World War I. Since then, a grateful nation takes time to salute each American that has served as a member of our armed forces on Veteran's Day.

To read a history of the holiday, take a look at information from the Veteran's Administration, the Department of the Army and History.com. Through their American Folklife Center, the Library of Congress has assembled their historical resources together in the Veteran's History Project. This year they are highlighting forgotten branches of the service, the Merchant Marines and the Coast Guard with a special page.

For statistics about Veteran's Day, the Census Bureau has a Factfinder page with demographic and labor statistical data. And to see what events happening in Kentucky for Veteran's Day, the Department of Veteran's Affairs has a list.

[Graphic above is official poster for 2009, VA has an archive of posters dating back to 1978 that are available for viewing and downloading.]