Formerly known as Armistice Day to honor the end of World War I, November 11 was proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson as the first official day of commemoration in 1919.

A Brief History of Veterans Day

Although the Treaty of Versailles, which officially ended World War, was signed on June 28, 1919, fighting ceased seven months prior when an armistice went into effect on “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month,” according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It is for that reason that November 11–in honor of November 11, 1918–was chosen.

It wasn’t until May 13, 1938, that an act was passed that proclaimed November 11 of each year as a legal holiday. However, in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law legislation that amended the Act of 1938 by striking “Armistice” and inserting “Veterans” in its place.

In Eisenhower’s first “Veterans Day Proclamation,” he stated that the change was done, “In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose.”

What States Guarantee Veterans Leave on Veterans Day?  

Although Veterans Day is a federal holiday, many private employers’ holiday calendar may not align with and observe Veterans Day, thus granting employees paid or unpaid time off.  

In order to ensure veterans receive the right to celebrate the holiday, five states currently have employee rights laws on the books that require private employers to provide time off to veterans on Veterans Day. All five of these states, according to a report from SHRM, allow the employer to choose whether the time off is paid or unpaid.

Here is a list of the five states that guarantee veterans leave on Veterans Day in alphabetical order.

Iowa

According to Iowa Code Section 35.1, employers are required to comply unless “providing the time off would impact public health or safety or would cause the employer to experience significant economic or operational disruption.”

What’s more, in order to receive time off, employees must submit formal requests to their HR department at least on month prior. Additionally, employers must approve or deny requests at least 10 days before Veterans Day.  

Massachusetts

Massachusetts does not require advanced notice from either the employer or the employee.

New Hampshire

Employees must follow their employer's procedures for requesting time off in advance.    

Oregon

According to Oregon statute 659A,121, “If the employer determines that providing time off on this holiday would cause significant economic or operational disruption or undue hardship, the employer is not required to grant time off on Veterans Day . . . but must allow the employee to take another day off within one year in recognition of the employee's military service.”  

In Oregon, employees also must provide employers with at least 21 days' notice, as well as documentation to prove status as a veteran. Similarly, employers must let employees know at least 14 days before Veterans Day if time off is approved and if that time off will be paid or unpaid.

Tennessee

Tennessee is the latest state to pass legislation that guarantees veterans the right to take off work on Veterans Day. Governor Bill Lee signed into effect the law on April 20, 2022, which means this Veterans Day is the first in which the law’s passage must be upheld.  

Employers in Tennessee should update their employee handbooks to account for the change if not already completed.  

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