On Friday, November 11, the United States of America celebrates a federal holiday that is meant to honor all veterans of the uniformed services who served or are still serving during times of peace as well as war.

Veterans’ Day pays tribute to military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Some people tend to confuse the purposes of Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day because they both honor members of the military, but Veterans’ Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day focuses only on those who had died while in military service.

The reason that Veterans’ Day is on November 11, no matter what day of the week it lands, is because the treaty to end World War I was signed on that day. “‘On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, we will remember them.’ This holiday, which is sometimes called Remembrance Day, marks the end of the First World War. It started in 1919 as Armistice Day then became tradition in 1926. In 1945, it was expanded to honor all military members who had died, rather than just those who had been lost in World War I. It officially became a holiday, known as Veterans’ Day, in 1954. After being celebrated briefly on the fourth Thursday of the month, it has been designated as a solemn observance on November 11 since 1978. (Veterans’ Day)

One unique way people honor the holiday is by shopping at veteran-owned businesses. Some local businesses that are owned by veterans include Veteran’s Key & Lock at 4084 Travis Blvd. in Fairfield, Solano Jumps and Event Rentals in Vacaville, and Customize This in Dixon.

Others like to celebrate the holiday with some fun. Some people host family gatherings while others take advantage of local events. The North Vallejo Community Center is hosting a basketball game from 9 am to noon on Veterans’ Day, and Fairfield will have a parade down Texas Street. There will be a Commemoration Event and Concert at 10 am at 1035 Texas Street, followed by the Parade down Texas Street at 12:30.

Many restaurants, including Journey Downtown in Vacaville, offer free meals to individuals who have served in the military. Because it is a federal holiday, not only are schools closed, but so are federal offices and banks, and there is no mail delivery that day.