Veterans Day new Google Doodle: 5 things you probably did not know about the day

The first National Veterans Day was held in 1947

Parades are often held throughout the US on Veterans Day (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Google has honoured all of the people who serve in the United States Armed Forces with a new Doodle.

Many people have taken to social media to praise the illustration which marks Veterans Day. It depicts a range of service personnel smiling and standing next to one another.

Here are five things you may not have known about Veterans Day:

What is Veterans Day and when is it?
Veterans Day is marked annually on 11 November to honour those who serve and have served in the United States Armed Forces.

How is it marked?
Post offices and large banks are closed and many states across the US hold parades to mark the day. Workers and many students are also given a day off.

Is it Veteran’s Day or Veterans Day?
According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the official spelling is without the apostrophe “because it is not a day that ‘belongs’ to veterans, it is a day for [honouring] all veterans”.

Has it always been known as Veterans Day?
The day used to be called Armistice Day to honour those that served in World War I. But in 1954, the United States Congress replaced the word 'Armistice' with 'Veterans' in the Act of 1938 to honour veterans of all wars. Raymond Weeks, who served in World War II, organised the first 'National Veterans Day' in Alabama in 1947.

How is Veterans Day different to Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is marked to remember those who have died in service while Veterans Day honours all of those who have served in the military. “In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served – not only those who died – have sacrificed and done their duty,” the United States Department of Veterans Affairs website reads.