Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the US military. Originally called Decoration Day, its origins trace to the aftermath of the Civil War, when communities across the country began holding local ceremonies to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers. The first national commemoration was held at Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1868.
Over time, the holiday has come to be both a solemn day of remembrance and the unofficial start of summer. Congress moved it from May 30 to the final Monday in May in 1971, creating what is now one of the biggest travel and cookout weekends of the year in the United States.
Today, traditions include visiting cemeteries, attending parades, and the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 pm, when Americans are asked to pause and honor the fallen.
… Read what else we learned about Memorial Day here.
