This Sunday marks the anniversary of what’s now known as Veterans Day, honoring the service of those who’ve served in the U.S. Armed Forces. It originally began as a commemoration of those who served during World War I, but evolved over time from a day celebrating armistice to one that honors all military veterans.
In New York City, a parade honoring the day has taken place, in some form or another, since 1919, when soldiers who’d served in WWI marched through Midtown up Fifth Avenue—though that event happened on September 10, rather than the traditional November 11 date that marks Veterans Day.
The event in its current form is said to be the largest Veterans Day parade in the country, and thousands of marchers from more than 300 units across the various armed forces are expected to participate.
This year’s parade happens on Sunday, November 11. It will kick off, as always, at Madison Square Park at 11 a.m., with a ceremony at the Eternal Light monument. That flagstaff was dedicated as a WWI memorial in 1924.
From there, the parade will continue up Fifth Avenue to 52nd street, and will be followed by a festival on 53rd Street between Madison and Sixth Avenues.
Here are the street closures from the NYPD:
Formation
- Broadway between 5th Avenue and 27th Street
- 5th Avenue between Broadway and 23rd Street
- 24th Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 25th Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 26th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- 27th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
Route
- 5th Avenue between 24th Street and 46th Street
Dispersal
- 46th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- 5th Avenue between 46th Street and 48th Street
There will be also be two festivals celebrating Veterans Day: One on 48th Street between Sixth and Madison avenues, and one on Monday, November 12 on Broadway between Liberty Street and Battery Place.