• Get Started

MEMORIAL DAY

When is Memorial Day in 2024?

Memorial Day in 2024 is on the Monday, 27th of May (5/27/2024).

Memorial Day is on the 148th day of 2024. There are 218 days left in the year.

Memorial Day Facts

  • Date: May 27, 2024
  • National
  • Also Called: Decoration Day
  • Celebrations: Decorating the graves of the soldiers
Memorial Day iImage Credit: flickr/walkadog

Memorial Day is a US public holiday observed on the last Monday in May and often marks the beginning of summer. Memorial Day's meaning is to commemorate and pay tribute to soldiers who passed away while serving the military service- the Army, Air-force, Navy, SEALs, among other specialized units. The holiday was formerly called Decoration Day because Americans decorate the graves of the fallen soldiers with flowers and American flags.

In honor of this day, the American flag is raised to half position until noon, to honor the departed souls. After 12 pm, the flag is hoisted to full staff as a reminder that the nation lives and the country will always honor the sacrifice of the soldiers by fighting for justice for all.

Memorial Day History

Initially, the day only honored the soldiers who lost their lives in the Civil war where more than 620000 deaths were recorded. Though, after World War I, the holiday was set as a commemoration of the military personnel who died in all wars. The day used to be called Decoration Day up until the late 19th century when the name was changed to Memorial Day.

The Memorial Day remembrance was first observed on 30th May 1868. From then henceforth, the day was continually observed on May 30th until 1968 when the Uniforms Holiday Bill declared the official day as the last Monday in May.

There has been controversy where many cities have claimed to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. In May 1966, President Lyndon Johnson put the dispute to an end by officially declaring Waterloo, New York, as the rightful birthplace of the Memorial Day.

What's The Difference Between Memorial Day And Veterans Day?

The Memorial Day vs. Veterans Day difference is something most people do not understand. Memorial Day is intended to honor all military personnel who died in the line of duty. Veterans Day, on the other hand, commemorates all those who have served in the military, whether dead or alive.

How Is Memorial Day Celebrated?

Most Americans visit the national cemeteries where they lay flowers and flags on the graves. It is also a tradition to host the flag at half-mast until noon. Given that the memorial weekend is very long, you can attend sporting events, picnics, BBQs, spend time with family or donate to an organization that serves veterans. Most retail shops hold a week-long Memorial Day sale making it a great weekend to go shopping with family and friends. If you would rather go outdoors, then plan to attend a memorial parade near your town.

Memorial Day Traditions

Memorial Day is seen as a time to honor and remember the fallen soldiers. It is a common practice for Americans to visit military cemeteries and decorate the graves with flowers, wreaths, and flags. Memorial parades are held across the country with the most famous being in Washington DC, where red poppies are displayed as a symbol of fallen soldiers.

What Is Closed On Memorial Day?

As a federal holiday, government offices, post office, banks, and schools are closed. Recreational parks, airports, public transit systems, and hospitals, however remain operational throughout the day.

Interesting Memorial Day facts

- Since 1775, there have been more than 2.7 million US Military deaths

- Civil War was the deadliest war the US has ever participated in.

- Congress passed a law that requires all Americans to pause whatever they are doing at 3 pm on Memorial Day and honor the dead militants.

- There are over 300000 soldiers buried at the Arlington Cemetery.

Memorial Day Observances

DAY
DATE
HOLIDAY NAME
  • Mon
  • May 26, 2008
  • Mon
  • May 25, 2009
  • Mon
  • May 31, 2010
  • Mon
  • May 30, 2011
  • Mon
  • May 28, 2012

List of National and Regional Public Holidays of United States in 2023

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
SundaySunJan 01, 2023Jan 01New Year's Day
MondayMonJan 02, 2023Jan 02New Year's Day Holiday
MondayMonJan 16, 2023Jan 16M L King Day
MondayMonFeb 20, 2023Feb 20Presidents' Day
FridayFriApr 07, 2023Apr 07Good Friday
SundaySunApr 09, 2023Apr 09Easter Sunday
MondayMonMay 29, 2023May 29Memorial Day
MondayMonJun 19, 2023Jun 19Juneteenth
TuesdayTueJul 04, 2023Jul 04Independence Day
MondayMonSep 04, 2023Sep 04Labor Day
MondayMonOct 09, 2023Oct 09Columbus Day
SaturdaySatNov 11, 2023Nov 11Veterans Day
ThursdayThuNov 23, 2023Nov 23Thanksgiving Day
MondayMonDec 25, 2023Dec 25Christmas

List of Popular Celebration Days of United States in 2023

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
ThursdayThuJan 12, 2023Jan 12National Pharmacists Day
ThursdayThuJan 19, 2023Jan 19National Popcorn Day
WednesdayWedFeb 01, 2023Feb 01National Signing Day
ThursdayThuFeb 02, 2023Feb 02Groundhog Day
FridayFriFeb 03, 2023Feb 03National Wear Red Day
ThursdayThuFeb 09, 2023Feb 09National Pizza Day
MondayMonFeb 13, 2023Feb 13Galentine's Day
TuesdayTueFeb 14, 2023Feb 14Valentine's Day
WednesdayWedFeb 15, 2023Feb 15National Bagel Day
SaturdaySatFeb 18, 2023Feb 18National Drink Wine Day
TuesdayTueFeb 21, 2023Feb 21National Pancake Day
WednesdayWedFeb 22, 2023Feb 22National Margarita Day
FridayFriMar 03, 2023Mar 03National Employee Appreciation Day
TuesdayTueMar 07, 2023Mar 07National Cereal Day
SundaySunMar 12, 2023Mar 12Daylight savings
MondayMonMar 13, 2023Mar 13National Napping Day
TuesdayTueMar 14, 2023Mar 14National Walkout Day
TuesdayTueMar 14, 2023Mar 14National Pi Day
MondayMonMar 20, 2023Mar 20National Proposal Day
ThursdayThuMar 23, 2023Mar 23National Puppy Day
ThursdayThuMar 30, 2023Mar 30National Doctor Day
WednesdayWedApr 05, 2023Apr 05National Walking Day
ThursdayThuApr 06, 2023Apr 06National Burrito Day
FridayFriApr 07, 2023Apr 07National Beer Day
TuesdayTueApr 11, 2023Apr 11National Pet Day
WednesdayWedApr 12, 2023Apr 12National Grilled Cheese Day
ThursdayThuMay 04, 2023May 04National Day Of Prayer
SundaySunMay 14, 2023May 14Mother's Day
ThursdayThuMay 25, 2023May 25National Towel Day
ThursdayThuMay 25, 2023May 25National Wine Day
FridayFriJun 02, 2023Jun 02National Donut Day
ThursdayThuJun 08, 2023Jun 08National Best Friends Day
SundaySunJun 18, 2023Jun 18Father's Day
WednesdayWedJun 21, 2023Jun 21National Selfie Day
ThursdayThuJun 22, 2023Jun 22National Kissing Day
TuesdayTueJul 11, 2023Jul 11Amazon Prime Day
ThursdayThuJul 13, 2023Jul 13National French Fry Day
FridayFriJul 14, 2023Jul 14National Nude Day
SundaySunJul 16, 2023Jul 16National Ice Cream Day
WednesdayWedJul 19, 2023Jul 19National Hot Dog Day
MondayMonJul 24, 2023Jul 24National Tequila Day
SaturdaySatJul 29, 2023Jul 29National Chicken Wing Day
TuesdayTueAug 01, 2023Aug 01National Girlfriends Day
SundaySunAug 06, 2023Aug 06National Sister Day
MondayMonSep 18, 2023Sep 18National Cheeseburger Day
TuesdayTueOct 03, 2023Oct 03National Boyfriends Day
WednesdayWedOct 04, 2023Oct 04National Vodka Day
WednesdayWedOct 04, 2023Oct 04National Taco Day
MondayMonOct 09, 2023Oct 09Leif Erikson Day
SaturdaySatOct 21, 2023Oct 21Sweetest Day
SundaySunOct 29, 2023Oct 29National Cat Day
TuesdayTueOct 31, 2023Oct 31Halloween
FridayFriNov 03, 2023Nov 03National Sandwich Day
FridayFriNov 24, 2023Nov 24Black Friday
MondayMonNov 27, 2023Nov 27Cyber Monday
SaturdaySatDec 02, 2023Dec 02Candle Day
SaturdaySatDec 09, 2023Dec 09National Pastry Day
FridayFriDec 15, 2023Dec 15National Ugly Sweater day