Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States. We honor the men and women who gave their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces on this day.
Banks, schools, post offices, and government buildings are closed, giving many people across the nation time away from school or work.
This holiday has a solemn history dating back to the Civil War. Over the years, it has expanded to cover military personnel who lost their lives in all wars during the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. These include World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
When is Memorial Day?
As we mentioned, Memorial Day takes place last Monday in May. That means the date of the holiday changes every single year.
Take a look at the table below to find a list of past, present, and future Memorial Day dates:
| Year | Memorial Day Date |
| 2020 | May 25 |
| 2021 | May 31 |
| 2022 | May 30 |
| 2023 | May 29 |
| 2024 | May 27 |
| 2025 | May 26 |
Memorial Day also marks the (unofficial) beginning of summer, just as Labor Day marks the end!
What can you learn about Memorial Day here?
Get ready to explore the importance of Memorial Day through our Teaching Wiki. You’ll learn the answers to the following questions:
- Why do we celebrate Memorial Day?
- What are common Memorial Day symbols?
- When was the first-ever Memorial Day?
- What is the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?
- How do we observe Memorial Day in the United States?
- Where can I find teaching resources on Memorial Day?
Meaning and Significance of Memorial Day
Why do we celebrate Memorial Day?
For some, Memorial Day is a three-day weekend at the start of summer: a time of celebration, relaxation, and joy. However, the true meaning of Memorial Day is rooted in remembering those who sacrificed their lives for their country.
Taking time away from work allows people more time to think about the soldiers who lost their lives or volunteer to decorate war memorials. Families who have lost loved ones in war might come together on this day to honor them.
Overall, it is the perfect time to reflect on the privileges and freedoms that we have in life. We can give thanks to those who gave their lives for us to have these freedoms by honoring their sacrifice on Memorial Day.
Who is Memorial Day for?
While Memorial Day originally intended to remember those lost in the Civil War, many conflicts have risen since then, and many more soldiers have lost their lives.
Whether they served in the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Army, we honor all those who lost their lives while serving in the line of duty.
Memorial Day Symbols
- Red Poppies
Poppies are known as an international symbol of remembrance. The use of these flowers as a symbol to honor the soldiers who died for their country came from an American professor, Moina Michael.
Moina Michael decided to wear red poppies on Memorial Day herself, then sold them to raise money for service members needing help. Countries worldwide sell and distribute poppies on important days of remembrance to support soldiers and their families.
- National Moment of Remembrance
The National Moment of Remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. on Memorial Day. No matter where they are in the country (or overseas), Americans are encouraged to pause whatever they are doing and remain silent for a full minute.
This moment of silence honors military personnel who gave their lives in service to the United States.
President Bill Clinton signed the National Moment of Remembrance Act into law in 2000.
| “Today, most Americans will enjoy a well-deserved day off from the cares of work and school; we’ll relax at home and cherish the company of loved ones. But as we contemplate the comforts and blessings of our lives and the well-being of our nation, I ask you to pause just for a moment to remember those who gave their lives to protect the values that give meaning to our lives.” – President Bill Clinton |
History of Memorial Day
What is Memorial Day’s connection to the Civil War?
Memorial Day’s roots date back to the Civil War. Over 600,000 people lost their lives during it – one of the most catastrophic losses of life in the history of the United States.
In the aftermath, many people – often women – sought to remember the dead by decorating the graves of soldiers. They frequently added flowers and ribbons. Some even cleaned up the graves from debris when necessary!
What was Decoration Day?
After the Civil War, General John A. Logan called for people across the nation to honor fallen soldiers on an official day of remembrance. This would be known as Decoration Day, and the first of its kind would occur on May 30th of the same year.
Before the event was created, people would decorate the graves of fallen soldiers in their own time. Decoration Day served as a call to action. Thousands of people participated in the first year, including volunteers who decorated the graves at Arlington National Cemetery.
This continued year after year.
When did Decoration Day become Memorial Day?
Some people knew “Decoration Day” as “Memorial Day” from the beginning, but it wasn’t until World War 1 that this alternate name became popular.
The event’s name changed from “Decoration Day” to “Memorial Day” to reflect its changing nature. People still honored those who died during the Civil War, but the more recent conflict was fresh on their minds.
Soon, Memorial Day would become an event dedicated to remembering every soldier who died during a war, no matter what war it was.
The holiday was only officially recognized much later. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act turned Memorial Day into a federal holiday from May 30th to the last Monday in May.
Where is the official birthplace of Memorial Day?
Congress recognizes that Memorial Day began in the 1800s. President Lyndon B. Johnson named Waterloo, NY, as the holiday’s birthplace – one hundred years after the “first formal Memorial Day observance.”
However, the official birthplace is hotly contested. Other towns and cities claim to have celebrated the holiday first,
One of these is Boalsburg, PA. They claim to have observed Memorial Day in 1864, two years before Waterloo.
So, who was first? We might never know for sure.
Memorial Day Quotes
| “I am oppressed with a sense of the impropriety of uttering works on this occasion. If silence is ever golden, it must be here beside the graves of fifteen thousand men, whose lives were more significant than speech, and whose death was a poem, the music of which can never be sung.” – James A. Garfield |
| “Heroism is not only in the man but in the occasion.” – Calvin Coolidge |
| “Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt |
| “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” – Ronald Reagan |
| “How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes.” – Maya Angelou |
Memorial Day Traditions
How do we observe Memorial Day?
People observe Memorial Day by meeting up with friends and family members. While the day can be solemn, gatherings like these are appropriate. The day also allows us to celebrate the opportunities we have been given through the sacrifice of others, past and present.
Towns and cities across the nation host their own Memorial Day parades.
What are some ideas for observing Memorial Day with kids?
- Visit a war memorial to lay flowers and honor the sacrifice of the soldiers it represents.
- Read a poem written during or about war to explore the perspective of a soldier.
- Attend a Memorial Day parade in your area to see marching bands, listen to speeches, and watch the ceremonies.
- Volunteer for local charities or events that support veterans or their families.
- Host a family gathering to make the most of the summer as it rolls in.
Memorial Day vs. Veterans Day
Memorial Day and Veterans Day are often confused with one another.
A simple way to remember the difference is that Memorial Day honors soldiers who have died while serving their country. In contrast, Veterans Day honors all soldiers – past and present, living or dead.
Still not sure? Check out the handy table below to compare the two:
| Veterans Day | Memorial Day |
| Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11th, and World War 1 ended. | Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May every year. |
| Honors everyone who served or is currently serving in the military. | Celebrates people who lost their lives while serving in the military. |
| This holiday began on November 11th, 1919, and was originally called “Armistice Day.” | This holiday began in 1868 as “Decoration Day” after the Civil War and focused on honoring Civil War soldiers. |
| Several countries around the world honor soldiers of World War 1 and 2 around November 11th. | Only the United States celebrates Memorial Day as we know it, but other countries have their days of remembrance. |
5 Interesting Facts about Memorial Day
- Of the 25 towns and cities claiming to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, only one of those is recognized by the government: Waterloo, New York.
- On Memorial Day, the American flag is flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon. This is out of respect for those who have lost.
- Before he became president, James A. Garfield gave a speech at the first Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. It lasted over an hour.
- If you’re near Rochester, WI, on Memorial Day, you can drop by the longest-running Memorial Day parade. It dates back to 1867!
- Before Memorial Day, soldiers in the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment place flags in front of over 260,000 graves in Arlington.
