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Memorial Day

Memorial Day on May 26 conjures images of hamburgers, hot dogs, swimming pools, and summertime for  many Americans. But the last Monday in May serves, most importantly, as  a time to honor those who died while fighting in the U.S. Armed Forces.  It’s a holiday steeped in somber American history and tradition. The  day actually began as “Decoration Day,” following the Civil War, when  mourners placed flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers.  Yes, Memorial Day has also come to signify the “unofficial” start of  summer, but let’s remember the heroes who made it all possible.

When is Memorial Day 2026?

Men and women who’ve served and sacrificed their lives in the U.S. Armed Forces are honored on Memorial Day on May 26.

History of Memorial Day

The  Civil War ended in the spring of 1865 when Robert E. Lee surrendered  the last major Confederate army to Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox  Court House on April 9. Over 620,000 soldiers died in the four-year  conflict. General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic (an  organization of Union veterans) would eventually select May 30, 1868, as  a day to pay tribute to the fallen:

“The 30th of May, 1868, is  designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise  decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country  during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every  city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land…”

Logan  apparently chose May 30 because flowers would be in bloom all over the  country. By the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were  being held on May 30 throughout the nation. States passed proclamations,  and the Army and Navy adopted rules for proper observance at their  facilities.

The crowd attending the first Memorial Day ceremony at  Arlington National Cemetery was approximately the same size as those  that attend today’s observance — about 5,000 people. Small American  flags were placed on each grave — a tradition still followed at many national cemeteries today. In recent years, the custom has grown in many  families to decorate the graves of all departed loved ones.

By  1890, each Northern state had made Decoration Day an official holiday.  But this was not the case in the South, where states continued to honor  their dead on separate days until after the First World War.

The May 30 date held for decades. But, in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees. The change took place in 1971. The same law also declared Memorial Day a  federal holiday.

Memorial Day timeline

1864 Beginning of a Tradition

Women from Pennsylvania place flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers after the Battle of Gettysburg.

May 5, 1866 Birthplace of Memorial Day

Waterloo, New York, begins hosting an annual community service in remembrance of soldiers whose lives were lost.

May 5, 1868 It’s Official

Major General John A. Logan issues General Order No.11, making the day official.

2020 Virtual Solidarity

The organization American Veterans (AMVETS) holds a virtual motorcycle rally in honor of Memorial Day.

Traditions of the Day

Many  Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials,  holding family gatherings, and participating in parades. It’s the  three-day weekend that kicks off the summer season and the time for  hanging out at the beach and lakes, and barbecuing with friends and  family. But Memorial Day is also the most solemn American holiday — a  day to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice while defending  their nation.

Towns and  cities across the country host grand Memorial Day parades every year,  often featuring senior veterans and military personnel. Some of the biggest parades take place in New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. Cemeteries and memorials are also visited by Americans, with some  citizens wearing or holding red poppies to symbolize those who have  fallen in war. This tradition has been around since World War I. Weekend  trips and parties are also arranged to balance out the somberness of  the day and welcome the summer.

By the Numbers

620,000 – the number of soldiers who died on both sides of the Civil War.

1868 – the year when President James Garfield delivered a very long speech on Memorial Day.

2500 – the number of motorcyclists who participated in the first Rolling Thunder rally.

$1.5 billion – the number of dollars typically spent on meat and seafood in preparation for Memorial Day weekend.

60% – the percentage of American households who attend or host a barbecue on this day.

1.5 million – the number of people who watch the National Memorial Day Parade.

900,000 – the number of people who gathered for the Rolling Thunder Memorial Day motorcycle rally in 2019.

260,000 – the number of graves at Arlington National Cemetery adorned with flags in 2019.

45 million – the number of men and women who have served in a time of war for the U.S.

3 P.M. – the time of day when a moment of silence is observed by Americans throughout the country on this day.

How to Observe Memorial Day

Pay your respects

Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance

Fly the flag

Lay  flowers on the grave of a family member or friend who died while  serving. If you don't personally know any fallen soldiers, visit a local  cemetery anyway. After all, they made the ultimate sacrifice for you.

By  doing so, you'll be joining millions of Americans in national unity to  honor Memorial Day for what it truly is — a day to remember those who  laid down their lives in service of their country and its citizens.

If  you have an American flag at home, be sure to fly it at half-mast until  noon, then raise it to full mast for the rest of the day. The practice  of lowering and then raising the flag has been observed for over 100  years to symbolize America's persistence in the face of loss.

5 CREATIVE WAYS TO DECORATE FOR MEMORIAL DAY

Unfurl those flags

Line your walkway with mini flags

Red, white, and blue layered cake

Stars and Stripes windsocks

Symbolic flowers

Often people store their American flags and raise them only during patriotic holidays. This is definitely one of those days.

Nothing honors our deceased veterans like dozens (or even hundreds) of flags in your front lawn and entryway.

It’s a decoration you can eat.

It’s festive, fun, and patriotic. Need we say more?

Even  if you haven’t lost a loved one who served in the military, you can  still honor the fallen with flowers at home. Red, navy, and blue dahlias  combined with white rose silk flowers can make a stunning visual  combination.

Bolles + Wilson, Dub House, Munster, 1993