Is Veterans Day different from Memorial Day? Do I get day off in CA? What to know
From Independence Day to Flag Day, the United States observes numerous patriotic holidays each year.
How is Veterans Day different from Memorial Day?
Who gets the day off from work or school in California — and what will be closed for the federal holiday?
Here’s what to know:
When is Veterans Day in 2025?
In 2025, Veterans Day will be observed on Tuesday, Nov. 11, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Why do we celebrate Veterans Day?
Veterans Day is a federal holiday that honors more than 19 million Americans who have served in the U.S. military, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The holiday was first observed on Nov. 11, 1919, as Armistice Day, marking the first anniversary of the end of World War I, according to the History Channel.
The armistice ending the war was signed on the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” in 1918, the History Channel said on its website.
In 1926, Congress called for an annual observance, and by 1938, it became an official federal holiday.
In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower renamed the holiday Veterans Day to honor all United States veterans — not just those from World War I.
“Great Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World War I and World War II on or near November 11th: Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain has Remembrance Sunday,” the History Channel said. “In Europe, Great Britain and the Commonwealth countries it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11.”
How is Veterans Day different from Memorial Day?
According to the United Service Organizations, the country’s leading organization supporting service members and their families, Memorial Day and Veterans Day are not the same holiday.
“Understanding the nuances of Memorial Day vs. Veterans Day might seem confusing at first” since they “both honor the military community,” the organization said on its website.
However, these two federal holidays “couldn’t be more different,” the United Service Organization said.
While Veterans Day honors all those who served in the military, Memorial Day honors those who died in military service, according to the United Service Organizations.
“Memorial Day, which is celebrated on the last Monday in May, honors service members who have died in military service to the nation,” the organization said. “The holiday has roots dating back to the post-Civil War era, when citizens would informally place spring flower memorials on the graves of fallen soldiers.”
Who gets Veterans Day off work and school in California?
In California, Veterans Day is a public school holiday. That means all public schools are required to close, according to to California education code.
Federal and state employees also get the day off, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management said.
However, California law does not require private employers to give workers the day off or observe Veterans Day as a paid holiday.
If a company closes for Veterans Day or offers paid time off, it’s because of a company policy, a union agreement or an employment contract, according to the California Department of Industrial Relations.
“There is nothing in the law that mandates an employer pay an employee a special premium for work performed on a holiday, Saturday, or Sunday,” the state Industrial Relations department said on its website.
What’s closed in California for Veterans Day?
In 2025, federal, state and local government offices — including public schools — will be closed for Veterans Day across California.
This means agencies including the California Department of Motor Vehicles, U.S. Postal Service and public libraries will be closed, along with most banks.
Hours at privately owned businesses — including grocery stores and pharmacies — can vary by location, so check with your local store before heading out.
