Veterans Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet
Updated November 9, 2023
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
R44263

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Veterans Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet

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 recognitions,
presidential proclamations, 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 380, which designated November 11 as Veterans
Day, a day to honor all American veterans.
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 Report R46412, Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs): Frequently Asked Questions, by
Tamar B. Breslauer and Carol D. Davis.
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.

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.
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Veterans Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet

CRS Report R46964, Department of Veterans Affairs FY2022 Appropriations, by Sidath Viranga
Panangala and Jared S. Sussman.
Selected Speeches and Recognitions
Elected 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:
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.
Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, “Veterans Day,” remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, vol.
178, no. 178 (November 7, 2019), pp. S6470-S6471.
Presidential Proclamations and Remarks
One 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
Presidential Proclamations—Joseph R. Biden (2021- present)
Presidential Proclamations—Donald J. Trump (2017-2021)
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 from 1993 to the present are available through the
govinfo service on the U.S. Government Publishing Office website. Earlier remarks (including
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Veterans Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet

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 2023: 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;
U.S. Census Bureau, Infographic—Where Do Veterans Get Health Insurance Coverage?; and
U.S. Census Bureau, Infographic—How Do We Know? A Snapshot of Our Nation’s Veterans.
Historical Resources
Library of Congress, Veterans History Project
Library of Congress, “Veterans Day,” American Memory Project, Today in History feature
The National Archives, Veterans’ Service Records
Resources on Veterans Day Celebrations
Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Day-November 11
U.S. Army Center of Military History, Remembering Their Selfless Service to Our Country:
Veterans Day
National Park Service, celebration of Veterans Day and an index to Parks Service memorials and
sites that commemorate and honor the American military
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Veterans Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet


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
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