Celebrating U.S. Veterans holidays is a way to honor those who have served our country, often making enormous sacrifices in the name of preserving freedom for all who call the United States home.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of important holidays and events that honor our Veterans and Service Members. Be sure to check back often as we update this list!
January
Jan. 25 — Anniversary of the U.S. & Allied Victory at the Battle of the Bulge
Nearly 80 years ago, in the twilight months of World War II, Nazi Germany launched a major offensive against U.S. and Allied Forces rapidly advancing on its western border. Despite suffering significant losses, the Allies ultimately prevailed in what would later be called one of the most decisive victories of the war.
Our full article: The Battle of the Bulge
February
Feb. 3 — Four Chaplains Day
On Feb. 3, 1943, four U.S. Army chaplains from different faiths laid down their lives so that four others could survive the sinking of the U.S.A.T. Dorchester, which was struck by a Nazi torpedo during the Battle of the Atlantic.
Our full article: What is Four Chaplains Day?
Feb. 9 — Anniversary of the U.S. Victory at the Battle of Guadalcanal
Winning the Battle of Guadalcanal was a pivotal moment in the Pacific Theater of World War II for the United States. The battle marked the first time that U.S. forces mounted an offensive operation against Imperial Japan’s captured territories — a streak that would continue throughout the remainder of the war.
Our full article: The Battle of Guadalcanal
Feb. 28 — Anniversary of the U.S.-Led Victory in the Persian Gulf War
After Saddam Hussein’s Iraq invaded neighboring Kuwait, a U.S.-led coalition drove the invaders out. A subsequent campaign resulted in a rapid and decisive victory for Coalition forces that would restore Kuwait’s independence and sow the seeds for future conflict in the region.
Many U.S. Veterans who were deployed at the time still suffer from the effects of exposure to toxic burn pits.
Our full article: Anniversary of the U.S.-led victory in the Persian Gulf War
March
March 3 — Navy Reserve Birthday
The Navy Reserve was formed in 1915 to support World War I.
March 13 — K-9 Veterans Day
Official birthday of the U.S. K-9 Corps. The Army founded the K-9 Corps in 1942 during WWII to train dogs to help troops.
March 15-17 — Anniversary of the First Caucus of The American Legion
Only months after the end of World War I, Service Members of the American Expeditionary Force convened in Paris for the very first caucus of The American Legion. The beginnings of an organization that caters to Veterans and Service Members were rooted, and only six months later The Legion was officially chartered by Congress.
Our full article: A Brief History of The American Legion
March 25 — National Medal of Honor Day
A day to honor the heroism and sacrifice of those awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest U.S. military award.
March 26 — Anniversary of the U.S. Victory at the Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest conflicts of World War II, standing out as the only instance where total U.S. casualties outnumbered Imperial Japan’s losses.
The strategic value of the battle would later be questioned by officers and historians alike, but the iconic image of U.S. Marines hoisting an American flag atop a hill would prove to be a major boost to American morale in the waning weeks of the war.
March 29 — Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day
Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day was not established until 2017, decades after a costly war that sent ripples through American society and fractured millions of veterans’ lives.
Hundreds of thousands of Vietnam Veterans still live today, and many still suffer from the effects of lingering physical, mental, and emotional trauma suffered so long ago.
April
April 5 — Gold Star Spouses Day
Every year, the U.S. Senate designates April 5 as Gold Star Spouses Day, honoring the partners of Service Members who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
May
May 1 — Silver Star Service Banner Day
Officially established in 2010, Silver Star Service Banner Day honors all those who have been wounded in battle or who are ill or dying as a result of their military service. Hundreds of thousands of Veterans live with physical wounds and psychological trauma caused in conflicts as old as World War II through the present.
Friday before Mother’s Day in May — Military Spouse Appreciation Day
Military Spouse Appreciation Day is a day to appreciate the sacrifices made by Military Spouses, many of whom are expected to shoulder the responsibilities of the home without the support of their significant other. Military Spouses contribute to the mission first and are a vital component of troop morale. Spouses are often required to pick up and move at a moment’s notice, which makes holding a stable career that much more difficult for them.
May 8 — Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day
After the death of Adolf Hitler and the fall of Nazi Germany, U.S. Service Members serving in the European Theater of World War II found themselves wondering if they would be returning home — or sent to fight an increasingly desperate and debilitated Imperial Japanese Army.
Our full article: Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day
The Last Monday in May — Memorial Day
Memorial Day remembers all those who died fighting in America’s wars. The federal holiday is thought to have originated not long after the end of the American Civil War, but in 1971, was officially dedicated as it is today.
Our full article: Memorial Day
June
June is PTSD Awareness Month
June 6 — Anniversary of the D-Day Landings at Normandy
The Anniversary of D-Day remembers the first time U.S. and Allied Forces set foot on Nazi-controlled Europe. The resulting battle is still one of the world’s largest military operations to ever take place, and eventually proved to be a critical victory for the Allies.
Our full article: Anniversary of the D-Day Landings at Normandy
June 7 — Anniversary of the U.S. Victory at the Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway proved to be a major turning point in the Pacific Theater of World War II, catastrophically impairing Imperial Japan’s Navy and ensuring American naval and air superiority for the remainder of the war.
Our full article: Anniversary of the U.S. Victory at the Battle of Midway
June 12 — Women Veterans Day
Women Veterans Day honors the growing number of women serving in the U.S. Military as well as the sacrifice of Women Veterans going back to the American Revolutionary War.
Our full article: June 12 Is Women Veterans Day
June 14 — Flag Day and the Founding of the U.S. Army
(Army Birthday)
June 14 marks the official adoption of the United States flag in 1777 by the Second Continental Congress as well as the foundation of the Continental Army. After the American Revolution, the disbanded Continental Army was reorganized into the U.S. Army.
Our full articles:
June 22 — Anniversary of the U.S. & Allied Victory at the Battle of Okinawa
On June 22, 1945, U.S. and Allied Forces declared victory over the Imperial Japanese Army. The battle was the costliest of the Pacific War and paved the way for an invasion of mainland Japan that would ultimately never occur because of the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Our full article: Anniversary of the U.S. and Allied Victory at the Battle of Okinawa
June 27 — PTSD Awareness Day
The VA estimates that between 10 and 20 percent of Veterans who served in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD Awareness Day recognizes the hundreds of thousands of Veterans still suffering from the mental and emotional toll of their service while encouraging treatment and research.
Our full article: June 27 Is PTSD Awareness Day
July
July 4 — Independence Day
Over 200 years ago, Americans from 13 colonies declared their independence from the British Empire. The resulting conflict would last roughly five years, ending in an American victory.
Our full article: July 4 Is Independence Day
July 27 — National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day
After three years of fighting, the Korean War ended in a stalemate with an official armistice agreement signed between the United States, South Korea, North Korea, and China. Armistice Day remembers those who died fighting for South Korea and honors over one million Korean War Veterans are still alive today.
Our full article: National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day
August
Aug. 4 — Anniversary of the Founding of the U.S. Coast Guard (Coast Guard Birthday)
The U.S. Coast Guard was formed shortly after the ratification of the U.S. Constitution to protect and enforce American naval interests. Its mission has changed dramatically over the centuries, with the Coast Guard playing vital roles in each major U.S. conflict since its founding.
Our full article: U.S. Coast Guard Birthday
Aug. 7 — National Purple Heart Day
Purple Heart Day honors the sacrifice of fallen and wounded Service Members every August 7. Over 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded since 1932.
Our full article: Purple Heart Day
Aug. 30 — Anniversary of the Final Withdrawal from Afghanistan
After the Attacks on September 11, 2001, U.S. and Coalition Forces invaded Afghanistan, marking the first major operation of the Global War on Terrorism.
The nearly 20-year war would claim the lives of nearly 2,000 U.S. Service Members and wound another 21,000. Significantly more continue to suffer from the mental and emotional ramifications of their service.
Our full article: Withdrawal From Afghanistan
September
September is National Suicide Prevention Month
Our full article: National Suicide Prevention Month
Sept. 2 — Anniversary of Victory Over Japan Day
The United States suffered over 426,000 casualties defending and liberating dozens of islands from Imperial Japanese control. After years of brutal combat, the Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki put a decisive end to the Pacific War and set the tone for the Post-War era.
Our full article: Japan signs document surrendering to U.S. to end World War II
Sept. 11 — Patriot Day
Patriot Day honors the sacrifices of those murdered in the 9/11 Attacks, the first responders who died or continue to suffer, and the Service Members and Veterans who have served or continue to serve in the resulting War on Terrorism.
Our full article: Patriot Day
Sept. 18 — Anniversary of the Founding of the U.S. Air Force
(Air Force Birthday)
Two years after the end of World War II, air units of the U.S. Army were officially reorganized into the U.S. Air Force. Since 1947, the Air Force has been charged with defending America’s global interests in terms of reach, deterrence, and power projection.
Our full article: Anniversary of the Founding of the U.S. Air Force
The Third Friday in September — National POW/MIA Recognition Day
National POW/MIA Recognition Day recognizes the sacrifice and loss of Service Members who are or have been prisoners of war or missing in action during the course of recent U.S. conflicts.
In the modern era, over 83,000 American Service Members—most from World War II—are still considered missing in action.
Our full article: National POW/MIA Recognition Day
October
Oct. 13 — Anniversary of the Founding of the U.S. Navy (Navy Birthday)
On October 13, 1775, the Continental Navy was established to harass ships of the British Empire. After the end of the American Revolution, the Continental Navy was disbanded until it was officially reformed roughly 10 years later as the U.S. Navy.
Since 1790, the mission of the Navy has been to protect U.S. interests at home and abroad.
Our full article: U.S. Navy Birthday
November
November is National Veterans and Military Families Month
Nov. 10 — Anniversary of the Founding of the U.S. Marine Corps (Marine Corps Birthday)
In 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Marines to serve as an infantry force auxiliary to the Continental Navy. After the American Revolution, the Continental Marines were disbanded until the U.S. Marine Corps was re-established in 1798 in preparation for a naval conflict with France.
Ever since, the mission of the U.S. Marine Corps has been to support the goals of the U.S. Navy and other branches in combat operations.
Our full article: U.S.M.C. Birthday
Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
Once known as Armistice Day in remembrance of an Allied victory in World War I, Veterans Day now honors all who have served in America’s military.
Every year, California American Legion publishes a new list of active-duty and Veterans discounts offered by national and California retailers, restaurants, and entertainment for the month of November.
Our full article: How Veterans Day started
December
Dec. 7 — Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
“A date which will live in infamy.” On Dec. 7, 1941, Imperial Japan launched an unprovoked surprise attack on the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The resulting attack terrorized the nation, plunging the United States into the midst of World War II and forever changing American society.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day honors those who died during the attack as well as the sacrifice of those who would serve in the campaign to defeat Imperial Japan.
Our full article: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Dec. 15 — Anniversary of the Official End of War in Iraq
In 2003, a U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq to topple the government headed by Saddam Hussein. While Ba’athist Iraq was quick to fall, the resulting power vacuum led to civil war in Iraq and perpetual insurgency. Coalition forces continued to occupy the country through Dec. 15, 2011, marking the first official withdrawal from Iraq. But in 2014, the United States redeployed forces in Iraq as part of a combined operation against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL.
Since 2003, tens of thousands of Americans have served or continue to serve in Iraq, many of whom still suffer from the lingering effects of the wars.
Our full article: Anniversary of the official end of the War in Iraq
Dec. 20 — Anniversary of the Foundation of the U.S. Space Force (Space Force Birthday)
In 2019, the U.S. Space Force was officially established as an auxiliary to the U.S. Air Force for the purpose of protecting American interests in Space, including defense, power projection, and observation.
Our full article: Anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Space Force
