Who are America's Veterans

WHO ARE AMERICA'S VETERANS? 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 honors military veterans with parades and speeches across the nation. A national ceremony takes place at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. – U.S. Census Bureau There were 21.5 MILLIUN military veterans in 2011. GENDER BREAKDOWN WHERE THEY LIVE States with the most veterans 19.9 MILLION were men. 1.6 MILLION were women. 1.9 M CALIFORNIA RACIAL BREAKDOWN 17.2 MILLION were non-Hispanic white. 2.3 MILLION were black. 1.2 MILLION were Hispanic. 1.6 M FLORIDA 264,695 were Asian. 153,223 were American Indian or Alaska Native. 1.6 M TEXAS 27.469 were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. EDUCATION INCOME Percent of population 25 and older with at least a bachelor's degree in 2011 Annual median income of in 2011 inflation-adjusted dollars Veterans General population Veterans General population $35,821 $25,811 26.3% 28.5% ON THE JOB 9.1 MILLION Percent of population 25 and older with a high school diploma or higher in 2011 Number of veterans 18 to 64 in the labor force in 2011. Veterans General population 9 PERCENT 92.37 86%. Percentage of all U.S. nonfarm firms that are majority owned by veterans. Veteran-owned firms comprised an estimated 2.4 million of the 27.1 million nonfarm businesses nationwide in 2007. WHEN THEY SERVED Of living veterans, these amounts reflect how many veterans served during certain eras. World War II Korea Vietnam Gulf War Iraq and Afghanistan 129,972 43,942 205,205 51,079 876,663 POLITICALFIBER P. Graphic by Ben Pirotte Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2011:http://factfinder2.ce nsus.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_1YR/C21005 http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_1YR/S2101 http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_1YR/B21002 http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_1YR/B21001B / D /I/E /C/H Survey of Business Owners, 2007: http://www.census.gov/econ/sbo