National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day
July 27, 2025
National Korean War Armistice Day is an annual national day of recognition to commemorate the more than 35,000 U.S. Service members who lost their lives during the Korean War.
The war began on June 25, 1950 when the North Korean People’s Army crossed the 38th Parallel, which divides Korea into North and South. It ended on July 27, 1953 after the signing of the Armistice agreement.
The agreement was signed by U.S. Army Lt. Gen. William Harrison, Jr., who represented the United Nations Command and North Korean General Nam Il, who represented the Korean People’s Army; and the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army. The arrangement was designed to “insure a complete cessation of hostilities and of all acts of armed force in Korea until a final peaceful settlement is achieved.”
The armistice established the Korean Demilitarized Zone, a border between the two nations, enforced a cease-fire and finalized the return of prisoners-of-war.
