Veterans Day 2025: What’s Open & Closed?

WARWICK, RI— Today is Veterans Day, the annual federal holiday set aside to honor the U.S. military service of all men and women defending America and the Constitution, including separation of powers and rule of law.

The first Veterans Day was “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, honoring the first anniversary of the end of World War I, according to History.com. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938.

Local Veterans Day Events

This year, there is an observance in Warwick at Warwick Veterans Middle School at 9 a.m.,  organized by the City and former State Rep. Camille Vella Wilkinson, with Rev. Robert L. Marciano giving the blessing. Nearby, Coventry has an observance at Anthony Green WWI Monument (next to Ace Hardware), starting at 10:45 a.m.

Also, Cranston is hosting a Veterans Day Parade at 11:30 a.m. The Parade route will begin  on Doric Avenue behind the Pub on Park, proceed along Park Avenue to Pontiac Avenue, then continue south along Pontiac Avenue before turning north onto Rolfe Street and concluding at the top of Rolfe Square. After the parade, a ceremony will be held at the Cannon Memorial.

Veterans Day History & Notes for Today

A few points from History.com to bear in mind as many enjoy a day free from work:

• In Europe, Great Britain and the Commonwealth countries (mainly former British colony nations) it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every Nov. 11.
• Every Veteran’s Day, Arlington National Cemetery holds a memorial service. The cemetery is home to the graves of more than 400,000 people, most of whom served in the military.

The holiday is a federal observance, with many government, social and business services closed.

In Warwick, City Hall and the school department are closed for the holiday. Trash, recycling, and yard waste pick-ups are delayed one day, starting with today’s schedule.

Public transit RIPTA is following holiday routes on Friday. All RIPTA offices will be closed in observance of Veterans Day. RIPTA will waive the fare for all Rhode Island veterans on Veterans Day with proof of eligibility. Check the RIPTA website for schedules.