What Is Memorial Day?

Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day began after the Civil War as a way to honor Union soldiers who had died in the conflict.

The holiday’s name came from the tradition of decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. After World War I, it evolved to commemorate all American military personnel who died in any war or military action.

Today, it is observed as Memorial Day and serves as a solemn tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States.

Over time, Memorial Day became a day of national reflection and is now also seen as the unofficial start of summer.

When Is Memorial Day?

Memorial Day is now observed on the last Monday in May. Originally, however, it was held on May 30, regardless of the day of the week.

In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act which moved several federal holidays, including Memorial Day, to designated Mondays—creating three-day weekends for federal workers.

The change officially took effect in 1971, establishing the final Monday in May as Memorial Day. Still, it took time for all states to adopt the new observance, and even today, some states continue to recognize Decoration Day in their laws or traditions, reflecting the holiday’s historical roots.

How Do People Observe Memorial Day?

Many people honor Memorial Day in traditional ways, such as:

• flying the American flag at half-staff from dawn until noon
• taking part in a national moment of remembrance at 15:00 (3 pm) local time
• visiting local cemeteries and memorials to pay respect to fallen service members
• placing flowers or wreaths on soldiers’ graves
• volunteering to decorate military graves with American flags at national cemeteries
• attending memorial services, parades, and community events

Modern Memorial Day Traditions

Although the primary purpose of the holiday is remembrance, Memorial Day weekend has also become a time for families and communities to gather and enjoy the unofficial start of summer. Many Americans:

• have barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings
• travel for short trips or weekend vacations
• attend sports games or summer events

Wearing white between Memorial Day and Labor Day was once a widely followed tradition in the United States. This custom began as a way to stay cool in hot weather and as a sign of wealth and social status among upper-class families, though this is much less common today.

Public Life on Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a federal holiday, which means:

• Schools, non-essential government offices, and many businesses are closed.
• Public transportation often operates on a reduced or holiday schedule.
• Highways and airports tend to experience increased traffic.
• Most retail stores stay open, and Memorial Day sales have become a significant part of the weekend.

Symbols of Memorial Day

• The Red Poppy: This flower became a symbol of remembrance after World War I, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields” by poet and soldier John McCrae. People often wear or display red poppies to honor fallen soldiers, and the American Legion distributes them every Memorial Day.
• The American Flag: On Memorial Day, the flag is lowered to half-staff from sunrise until noon and then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day. This process symbolizes mourning in the morning and a commitment to continue the fight for freedom in the afternoon. The flag’s colors—red for bravery, white for purity, and blue for perseverance—carry deep meaning on this day of reflection.