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 making it an annual observance, and it became a national holiday in 1938. Then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 to change the name to Veterans Day to honor all those who served the country in war or peace. On this day, the nation honors military veterans with parades and other observances across the country and a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

The following facts are possible thanks to the invaluable responses to U.S. Census Bureau surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation in helping us measure America’s people, places and economy.  

1.6 million

The number of female veterans in the United States in 2019.

12.3%

The percentage of veterans in 2019 who were Black. Additionally, 76.2% were non-Hispanic White; 1.8% were Asian; 0.8% were American Indian or Alaska Native; 0.2% were Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; and 1.4% were some other race. (The numbers cover only those reporting a single race.)

7.2%

The percentage of veterans in 2018 who were Hispanic. 

50.4%

The percentage of veterans age 65 and older in 2019. At the other end of the age spectrum, 8.4% were younger than age 35. 

More on Veterans

Here’s a detailed profile on the veteran population from the 2019 American Community Survey. Statistics include:

• When veterans served.
• Demographics – age, sex, race and Hispanic or Latino origin.
• Median income.
• Educational attainment.
• Employment status.
• Poverty status.
• Disability status.

Past Facts for Features

• Veterans Day 2019: Nov. 11
• Veterans Day 2018: Nov. 11

Stats for Stories

• Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance: Sept. 11, 2020
• National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day: July 27, 2020
• Memorial Day: May 25, 2020
• Armed Forces Day: May 16, 2020

Reports

• Those Who Served: America’s Veterans From World War II to the War on Terror
• Veterans in Rural America: 2011–2015
• Characteristics of Female Veterans – An Analytic View Across Age-Cohorts: 2015

Graphics

• Rise in Female Veterans
• Veteran Population Declines
• U.S. Armed Forces at Home and Abroad
• Veterans Day
• A Century of Serving
• Percentage of Veterans Among the Adult Population
• Veteran-Owned Businesses in the U.S.
• Life After the Military
• Veterans Statistics by State (2015)

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

• Census Bureau’s “Veterans” page
• The Disability of Veterans
• Service Over College?

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