Veterans Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet
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Veterans Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet
Updated November 4, 2024
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
R44263
Veterans Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet
Congressional Research Service 1
Introduction
Introduction
Veterans Day is a federal holiday honoring people who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. It is recognized annually on November 11.1
This fact sheet is designed to assist congressional offices with work related to celebrating Veterans Day. It contains a brief history, CRS reports, selected speeches and recognitionsremarks from the Congressional Record, presidential proclamations and remarks, and statistical data. It also contains links to additional web resources from authoritative sources.
History
Veterans Day has its roots in Armistice Day. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919, the first Armistice Day, in recognition of the anniversary of the armistice that marked the end of the most destructive fighting during World War I.
For additional history, refer to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ “History of Veterans Day” page.
Legislation
On June 1, 1954, Congress passed Public Law 38083-380, which designated November 11 as Veterans Day, a day to honor all American veterans.2
CRS Reports
The Congressional Research Service has prepared numerous reports that relate to American veterans. Some of these include the following:
CRS Report R42324, Who Is a “Veteran”?—Basic Eligibility for Veterans’ Benefits, by Scott D. Szymendera.
CRS In Focus IF10490, Veterans’ Employment, coordinated by Benjamin Collins.
CRS Report R42755, The Post-9/11 GI Bill: A Primer, by Cassandria Dortch.
CRS In Focus IF10555, Introduction to Veterans Health Care, by Sidath Viranga Panangala and Jared S. Sussman.
CRS In Focus IF10167, Veterans and Homelessness, by Libby Perl.
CRS In Focus IF11886, Veteran Suicide Prevention, by Michele L. Malloy and Jared S. Sussman.
CRS Report R46412, Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs): Frequently Asked Questions, by Tamar B. Breslauer.
1 Veterans Day is always recognized on November 11. However, according to 5 U.S.C. §6103, when November 11 falls on a Saturday, Friday, November 10 is observed as the holiday for most of the federal government. When November 11 falls on a Sunday, the federal government holiday is observed on Monday, November 12.
2 An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.”
Veterans Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet
Congressional Research Service 2
CRS Report R46428, Veterans Accredited Representatives: Frequently Asked Questions, by Tamar B. Breslauer.
CRS Report R44837, Benefits for Service-Disabled Veterans, coordinated by Scott D. Szymendera.
CRS Report R48056, Department of Veterans Affairs FY2024 Appropriations, by Sidath Viranga Panangala and Jared S. Sussman.
Selected Speeches and Recognitions
CRS In Focus IF10555, Introduction to Veterans Health Care, by Sidath Viranga Panangala et al.
CRS Report R49347, Overview of the Department of Veterans Affairs FY2027 Appropriations, by Sidath Viranga Panangala.
CRS Report R42755, The Post-9/11 GI Bill: A Primer, by Cassandria Dortch.
CRS Report R47299, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Who Is a Veteran?, by Madeline E. Moreno.
CRS In Focus IF10490, Veterans' Employment, by Benjamin Collins.
CRS In Focus IF10167, Veterans and Homelessness, by Libby Perl.
CRS Report R46412, Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs): Frequently Asked Questions, by Tamar B. Breslauer.
CRS In Focus IF11886, Veteran Suicide Prevention, by Michele L. Malloy et al.
For more CRS products related to veterans, please visit the Veterans Issue Area webpage on CRS.gov. Selected Congressional Statements and RemarksElected officials often deliver speeches, make floor statements, issue press releases, or enter Extensions of Remarks into the Congressional Record to recognize federal holidays and observances. The following are some recent examples:
Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, “Veterans Day,”
Senator Eric Schmitt, "Recognizing Veterans Day," remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, vol. 169171, no. 185 (November 8, 2023), p. S5423.
Representative Aaron Bean, “Celebrating Veterans Day,” remarks in the House of Representatives, Congressional Record, vol. 169, no. 184 (November 7, 2023), p. H5473.
Representative John Joyce, “Recognizing Our Servicemembers On Veterans Day,” remarks in the House of Representatives, Congressional Record, vol. 169, no. 183 (November 6, 2023), p. H5407.
Senator Tommy Tuberville, “Veterans Day,” remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, vol. 168, no. 175 (November 14, 2022), p. S6659.
Representative Glenn Thompson, “Veterans Day,” remarks in the House of Representatives, Congressional Record, vol. 167, no. 198 (November 15, 2021), p. H6259.
Representative David G. Valadao, “Honoring Our Brave Veterans,” remarks in the House of Representatives, Congressional Record, vol.167, no. 192 (November 2, 2021), p. H6083.
Representative Peter Meijer, “Celebrating Veterans,” Extensions of Remarks, Congressional Record, vol. 167, no. 192 (November 2, 2021), pp. E1185-E1186.
Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, “Tribute to Veterans of the Armed Services of the United States,” Extensions of Remarks, Congressional Record, vol. 166, no. 193 (November 12, 2020), p. E1017.
Senator Charles E. Schumer, “Veterans Day,” remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, vol. 166, no. 192 (November 10, 2020), p. S6629.
Senator Mitch McConnell, “Veterans Day,” remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, vol. 165, no. 178 (November 7, 2019), p. S6454.
Presidential Proclamations and Remarks
Senator Tammy Duckworth, "In Chicago, Duckworth Honors Veterans and Celebrates Veterans Day," (November 11, 2025). Retrieved from the official website of Senator Duckworth.
Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand, "Gillibrand Statement on Veterans Day" (November 11, 2025). Retrieved from the official website of Senator Gillibrand.
Senator Chuck Grassley, "Veterans Day," remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, vol. 171, no. 186 (November 6, 2025), p. S7931.
Senator Tommy Tuberville, "Veterans Day," remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, vol. 170, no. 166 (November 12, 2024), p. S6502.
Representative Aaron Bean, "Celebrating Veterans Day," remarks in the House of Representatives, Congressional Record, vol. 169, no. 184 (November 7, 2023), p. H5473.
Representative John Joyce, "Recognizing Our Servicemembers on Veterans Day," remarks in the House of Representatives, Congressional Record, vol. 169, no. 183 (November 6, 2023), p. H5407.
Representative Nancy Pelosi, "Pelosi Statement on Veterans Day" (November 11, 2022). Retrieved from the official website of Representative Pelosi.
Selected Presidential Proclamations and RemarksOne of the many uses of a presidential proclamation is to ceremoniously honor a group or call attention to certain issues or events. Some recent Veterans Day proclamations and remarks, from the Compilation of Presidential Documents, include
the following:Presidential Proclamations—Joseph R. Biden (2021-present)
Presidential Proclamations—Donald J. Trump (2017-2021)
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Presidential Proclamations—Barack H. Obama (2009-2017)
Presidential Proclamations—George W. Bush (2001-2009)
Presidential Proclamations—William J. Clinton (1993-2001)
Presidential Proclamations and Remarks—President Donald J. Trump (2017-2021)4
Presidential Proclamations and Remarks—President Barack H. Obama (2009-2017)
Presidential Proclamations and Remarks—President George W. Bush (2001-2009)
Presidential proclamations and remarks from 1993 to the present are available through the GovInfoGovInfo service on the U.S. Government Publishing Office website. Earlier remarks (including some audio and video clips) are available through The American Presidency Project, established by the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Statistics
Several federal agencies maintain statistics on American veterans. Some useful sources of data and information on veterans include the following:
Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics..
U.S. Census Bureau, gateway resource page on Veterans..
U.S. Census Bureau, other Veterans resources for data and information:
U.S. Census Bureau, Facts for Features: Veterans Day 2024: Nov. 11;
U.S. Census Bureau, Infographic—World War II: 70 Years On;
U.S. Census Bureau, Report—Those Who Served: America’s Veterans From World War II to the War on Terror; and
U.S. Census Bureau, Honoring Veterans Across Tribal Nations;
U.S. Census Bureau, Veterans Day;
U.S. Census Bureau, Census Bureau Releases New Veteran Employment Outcomes; and
U.S. Census Bureau, Report—Aging Veterans: America’'s Veterans in Later Life.
Historical Resources
Library of Congress, Veterans History Project
National Archives, Veterans’Veterans' Service Records
Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration
Resources on Veterans Day Events
Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Day-November 11
National Archives, Veterans Day—Resources at the National Archives Veterans Day-November 11
U.S. Army Center of Military History, Remembering Their Selfless Service to Our Country: Veterans Day
Veterans Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet
Congressional Research Service R44263 · VERSION 14 · UPDATED 4
Veterans Day is always recognized on November 11. However, according to 5 U.S.C. §6103, when November 11 falls on a Saturday, Friday, November 10 is observed as the holiday for most of the federal government. When November 11 falls on a Sunday, the federal government holiday is observed on Monday, November 12. An Act (52 Stat. 351; previously codified at 5 U.S.C. §87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Link provides access to proclamations and remarks made by President Trump during both of his terms, where available. Link provides access to proclamations and remarks made by President Trump during both of his terms, where available.National Park Service, celebration of Veterans Day and an index to Park Service memorials and sites thatthat commemorate and honor the American military
Footnotes
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the American military
Author Information
Maya V. Thomas Reference and Digital Services Librarian
Acknowledgments
Gary Sidor and Valerie Cervantes contributed to earlier versions of this report.
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you wish to copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.