Why is Veterans Day observed on a Friday this year?

Veterans Day will be observed Friday, Nov. 10, as a federal holiday.

Veterans Day is always Nov. 11, but because that date falls on a Saturday this year, the federal holiday will be observed Friday.

The annual day of remembrance honors members of the military and has been a day of reflection since World War I. It is observed on Nov. 11 because the armistice between Germany and the allied nations went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year.

When it became a holiday, Veterans Day was known as Armistice Day. It was meant to mark the war to end all wars after the brutality of World War I. But it was less than 20 years later when another world war began.

The holiday in the United States became known as Veterans Day in 1954 after Congress, at the urging of veterans groups, changed the name of Armistice Day. It is now a holiday to mark the service and sacrifices of all U.S. veterans.

Federal employees will observe the holiday Friday, and many services from the government will also be closed. Most government offices — federal and local — will be closed in observance, but fire and police departments will work as normal.

The U.S. Postal Service will not deliver mail Saturday in observance of Veterans Day.

Most banks are closed on Veterans Day. According to the Federal Reserve, banks will be open Friday, but the Board of Governors will be closed.

According to the National Parks Service, national parks across the country will be open Saturday, and entry will be free for everyone.

Many public schools may also be closed Friday in observance of the holiday.