Veterans Day created to honor war’s sacrifice, as well as the living
Discover the origins of Armistice Day, now Veterans Day, from Smithsonian National Museum of American History curator Frank Blazich.
USA TODAY
Veterans Day, which commemorates all who have served in the military, both in wartime and peacetime, is Nov. 11.
It was first observed as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919, one year after World War I ended. The day of honor became a federal holiday in 1938, and its name was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all U.S. veterans.
A federal holiday, not everything is open on Veterans Day in Massachusetts.
Here’s what to know about Veterans Day closures.
Who gets the day off work and school on Veterans Day?
Veterans Day is listed as one of 11 federal U.S. holidays, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Most federal workers and private sector workers are entitled to paid holiday time off.
Schools are closed on Veterans Day, but with some exceptions.
Is the stock market closed on Veterans Day? When is it usually open?
The New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, and bond markets will all be open on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Those markets are typically open Monday through Friday, aside from select holidays.
Will banks be open or closed on Veterans Day?
Most banks and their branches will be closed on Veterans Day.
Bank ATMs and digital banking features will still be in service.
Will you get mail on Veterans Day? Does USPS deliver?
Mail is not delivered on federal holidays, so you will not receive your regular mail or packages on Veterans Day. Post offices will be closed.
USPS priority mail is the only service in operation.
Will FedEx and UPS have deliveries and pickups on Veterans Day?
Other delivery services, such as FedEx and UPS, will operate on modified schedules on Veterans Day.
Will there be trash pickup on Veterans Day? Check garbage collection schedules in your community
There’s a good chance you won’t have trash pickup because of the holiday.
Trash pickup is typically delayed for a day if the scheduled pickup falls on Veterans Day.
Check your local provider to see how your garbage pickup might be affected.
Are libraries and RMV offices open on Veterans Day?
Public libraries will be closed on Veterans Day. So will the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).
Will stores be open on Veterans Day?
Most grocery stores remain open on Veterans Day, including Stop & Shop, Market Basket, Costco, Target, and Walmart.
If you’re unsure if a store is open or not, you can call or check online to confirm.
When is the next federal holiday? Thanksgiving and Christmas are next
The next federal holiday is Thanksgiving Day, which falls on Thursday, Nov. 27, this year.
After that, Christmas Day falls on Thursday, Dec. 25. One week later, the first federal holiday of 2026 will fall on Thursday, Jan. 1.
