Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary marking the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 to change the name to Veterans Day as a way to honor those who served in all American wars. The day honors military veterans with parades and speeches across the nation and a remembrance ceremony takes place at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The ceremony honors and thanks all who served in the U.S. armed forces.

The following facts are made possible by the invaluable responses to the U.S. Census Bureau’s surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we continuously measure America’s people, places and economy. 

1.6 million

The number of female veterans in the United States in 2017.

11.8%

The percentage of veterans in 2017 who were black. Additionally, 77.3 percent were non-Hispanic white, 1.6 percent were Asian, 0.8 percent were American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.2 percent were Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and 1.4 percent were some other race. (The numbers for blacks, non-Hispanic whites, Asians, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders, and some other race cover only those reporting a single race.)

6.9%

The percentage of veterans in 2017 who were Hispanic.

50.0%

The percentage of veterans age 65 and older in 2017. At the other end of the age spectrum, 8.9 percent were younger than age 35.

See a detailed profile on the Veteran population from the 2017 American Community Survey. Statistics include:

• When They Served

• Demographics – Sex, Age, Race and Hispanic or Latino Origin

• Median Income

• Educational Attainment

• Employment Status

• Poverty Status

• Disability Status

Past Facts for Features

• Veterans Day 2017: Nov. 11
• Veterans Day 2016: Nov. 11

Stats for Stories

• 74th Anniversary of D-Day: June 6, 2018

Blogs

• Health Insurance Coverage of Veterans
• Who Are Veterans?
• Women Responsible for the Increasing Number of “Vetrepreneurs”
• Thousands of U.S. Veterans Call the Island Areas Home
• Taking a Look at Veterans Across America

Graphics

• Percentage of Veterans Among the Adult Population
• Life After the Military
• Today, 1 in 12 Veterans Are Women
• Working Veterans
• Veteran-Owned Businesses in the U.S.
• Our Nation’s Veterans
• Veterans Statistics by State (2015)

• Census Bureau’s “Veterans” page
  

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