Memorial Day | Definition, History, & Facts (2024)

FAQs

Memorial Day | Definition, History, & Facts? ›

Memorial Day, a federal holiday held the last Monday in May, is the nation's foremost annual day to mourn and honor its deceased service men and women. Originally called Decoration Day, it was formalized by a "Memorial Day Order" issued by Grand Army of the Republic Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan in 1868.

Originally called Decoration Day, from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags, Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country.

1. Don't wish anyone a “Happy Memorial Day” This is not Christmas – Memorial Day was not founded in joy with the promise of bringing glee each year. It was established as a way for the country to set aside time to honor the troops who had given their lives in service to America.

Memorial Day honors those who have died in military service, while Veterans Day in November honors all veterans living and dead. After the 2022 elections, NCSL identified at least 748 military veterans serving in the legislatures of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the five U.S. territories.

The National Moment of Remembrance, established by Congress, asks Americans wherever they are at 3 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day to pause in an act of national unity (duration: one minute). The time 3 p.m. was chosen because it is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday.

Originally established during the Civil War, Memorial Day honors those who have died in military service for the U.S. In recent history, Memorial Day has meant the unofficial start to summer. Families BBQ on the grill, the local pool announces its opening day, and retailers promote big sales.

Don't Say 'Thank You For Your Service' This Monday Memorial Day is specifically to honor those who died in military service. One vet says he'd prefer people say, "I hope you're having a meaningful day." The holiday's history dates to the Civil War.

Instead of “Happy Memorial Day,” you can say something like “Have a meaningful Memorial Day.” I know it's confusing because we all get 'Happy Memorial Day' in promotional emails from brands and it's become a holiday weekend for barbecues but as an American who is so grateful to everyone who fights to protect us, I'm ...

We are forever grateful for your choice to serve—we know this service comes at a cost—and although our recognition cannot fully encapsulate the gratitude we hold for your sacrifices, we want you to know they will never be forgotten. Today and every day, we honor our fallen heroes, and we honor you.

What is a good quote for Memorial Day? ›

It is essential to understand the distinction between these two observances to ensure our gratitude is appropriately directed. It is not customary to say “thank you” to veterans on Memorial Day, but there are meaningful ways to honor the sacrifices made.

Knowing When Exactly to Place a Flag on a Veteran's Grave:

As per the Flag Code, there are certain holidays in the calendar year when you are allowed to place the veteran's funeral flag - such as Veteran's Day, Armed Forces Day, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, and Memorial Day through to Flag Day.

Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1971. The National Moment of Remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time. Red poppies are a symbol of remembrance for Memorial Day. The first Memorial Day parade was held in 1868 in Ironton, OH.

The first national Decoration Day celebration took place a few weeks after the GAR promulgated its G.O. 11, on May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery, VA. Approximately 11,250 White and Black Union soldiers were buried along with about 350 Confederate soldiers; more than half were buried as unknowns.

In the United States, Memorial Day honors the memory of soldiers who died in the nation's wars. The holiday falls on the last Monday in May. On Memorial Day, Americans attend parades, church services, and other social events. People also decorate soldiers' graves with flowers and flags.

Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is one of the federal holidays in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May.