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Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of 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 has evolved into also honoring living military veterans with parades and speeches across the nation. A national ceremony takes place at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.
24.5 million
The number of military veterans in the United States in 2004.
See Table 509, 2006 edition, at
<http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/national_security_veterans_affairs/>
Female Vets
1.7 million
The number of female veterans in 2004.
See Table 509, 2006 edition, at
<http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/national_security_veterans_affairs/>
16%
Percentage of Persian Gulf War veterans in 2004 who were women. See Table 510, 2006 edition, at <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/national_security_veterans_affairs>
Race and Hispanic Origin
2.4 million
The number of black veterans in 2005. Additionally, 1.1 million veterans are Hispanic, 293,000 are Asian, 170,000 are American Indian or Alaska Native, and 28,000 are Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. (The numbers for blacks, Asians, American Indians and Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders cover only those reporting a single race.) (From AmericanFactFinder.)
When They Served
9.5 million
The number of veterans age 65 or older in 2004.
See Table 510, 2006 edition, at
<http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/national_security_veterans_affairs/>
8.1 million
Number of Vietnam-era veterans in 2004. Thirty-three percent of all veterans served in Vietnam. See Table 510, 2006 edition, at <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/national_security_veterans_affairs/>
3.9 million
Number of World War II veterans in 2004. Sixteen percent of all veterans served during World War II. See Table 510, 2006 edition, at <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/national_security_veterans_affairs/>
412,000
In 2005, number of living veterans who served during both the Vietnam era and in the Gulf War.
Other living veterans in 2005 who served in two or more wars:
- 343,000 served during both the Korean and Vietnam wars.
- 80,000 served during three periods: World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War.
- 306,000 served in World War II and the Korean War.
(Source: AmericanFactFinder.)
Where They Live
6
Number of states with 1 million or more veterans in 2004. These states are California (2.3 million), Florida (1.8 million), Texas (1.7 million), New York (1.2 million), Pennsylvania (1.1 million) and Ohio (1.1 million). See Table 509, 2006 edition, at <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/national_security_veterans_affairs/>
Education
1.1 million
Number of veterans enrolled in college, as of the 2001-2002 school year.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/007383.html>
25%
Percent of veterans 25 years and over with at least a bachelor’s degree in 2005. (Source: AmericanFactFinder.)
89%
Percent of veterans 25 years and over with a high school diploma or more in 2005. (Source: AmericanFactFinder.)
Income and Poverty
$33,973
Annual median income of veterans, in 2005 inflation-adjusted dollars. (Source: AmericanFactFinder.)
5.8%
Poverty rate for veterans, as of 2005. (Source: AmericanFactFinder.)
On the Job
11.3 million
Number of veterans ages 18 to 64 in the labor force in 2005. (Source: AmericanFactFinder.)
Voting
17.4 million
Number of veterans who voted in the 2004 presidential election. Seventy-four percent of veterans cast a ballot, compared with 63 percent of nonvets.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/voting/006562.html>
Business Owners
14%
Percentage of business owners who were veterans, as of 2002. Seventy-three percent of these veteran owners operated with no paid employees.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/business_ownership/007537.html>
7%
Percentage of veteran business owners who were disabled as a result of injury incurred or aggravated during active military service.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/business_ownership/007537.html>
Benefits
$22.4 billion
Aggregate amount received in fiscal year 2004 by the 2.6 million living veterans receiving compensation for service-connected disabilities. See Table 512 and 513, 2006 edition, at <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/national_security_veterans_affairs/> $59.6 billionTotal amount of federal government spending for veterans benefits programs in fiscal year 2004. See Table 512, 2006 edition, at < http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/national_security_veterans_affairs/>
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