• Get Started

MEMORIAL DAY

When is Memorial Day in 2025?

Memorial Day in 2025 is on the Monday, 26th of May (5/26/2025).

Memorial Day is on the 146th day of 2025. There are 219 days left in the year.

Memorial Day Facts

  • Date: May 26, 2025
  • 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 2024

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
MondayMonJan 01, 2024Jan 01New Year's Day
MondayMonJan 15, 2024Jan 15M L King Day
MondayMonFeb 19, 2024Feb 19Presidents' Day
FridayFriMar 29, 2024Mar 29Good Friday
SundaySunMar 31, 2024Mar 31Easter Sunday
MondayMonMay 27, 2024May 27Memorial Day
WednesdayWedJun 19, 2024Jun 19Juneteenth
ThursdayThuJul 04, 2024Jul 04Independence Day
MondayMonSep 02, 2024Sep 02Labor Day
MondayMonOct 14, 2024Oct 14Columbus Day
MondayMonNov 11, 2024Nov 11Veterans Day
ThursdayThuNov 28, 2024Nov 28Thanksgiving Day
WednesdayWedDec 25, 2024Dec 25Christmas

List of Popular Celebration Days of United States in 2024

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
FridayFriJan 12, 2024Jan 12National Pharmacists Day
FridayFriJan 19, 2024Jan 19National Popcorn Day
FridayFriFeb 02, 2024Feb 02Groundhog Day
FridayFriFeb 02, 2024Feb 02National Wear Red Day
WednesdayWedFeb 07, 2024Feb 07National Signing Day
FridayFriFeb 09, 2024Feb 09National Pizza Day
TuesdayTueFeb 13, 2024Feb 13Galentine's Day
TuesdayTueFeb 13, 2024Feb 13National Pancake Day
WednesdayWedFeb 14, 2024Feb 14Valentine's Day
ThursdayThuFeb 15, 2024Feb 15National Bagel Day
SundaySunFeb 18, 2024Feb 18National Drink Wine Day
ThursdayThuFeb 22, 2024Feb 22National Margarita Day
ThursdayThuFeb 29, 2024Feb 29Leap Day
FridayFriMar 01, 2024Mar 01National Employee Appreciation Day
ThursdayThuMar 07, 2024Mar 07National Cereal Day
SundaySunMar 10, 2024Mar 10Daylight savings
MondayMonMar 11, 2024Mar 11National Napping Day
ThursdayThuMar 14, 2024Mar 14National Walkout Day
ThursdayThuMar 14, 2024Mar 14National Pi Day
WednesdayWedMar 20, 2024Mar 20National Proposal Day
SaturdaySatMar 23, 2024Mar 23National Puppy Day
SaturdaySatMar 30, 2024Mar 30National Doctor Day
WednesdayWedApr 03, 2024Apr 03National Walking Day
ThursdayThuApr 04, 2024Apr 04National Burrito Day
SundaySunApr 07, 2024Apr 07National Beer Day
ThursdayThuApr 11, 2024Apr 11National Pet Day
FridayFriApr 12, 2024Apr 12National Grilled Cheese Day
ThursdayThuMay 02, 2024May 02National Day Of Prayer
SundaySunMay 12, 2024May 12Mother's Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25National Towel Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25National Wine Day
FridayFriJun 07, 2024Jun 07National Donut Day
SaturdaySatJun 08, 2024Jun 08National Best Friends Day
SundaySunJun 16, 2024Jun 16Father's Day
FridayFriJun 21, 2024Jun 21National Selfie Day
SaturdaySatJun 22, 2024Jun 22National Kissing Day
SaturdaySatJul 13, 2024Jul 13National French Fry Day
SundaySunJul 14, 2024Jul 14National Nude Day
WednesdayWedJul 17, 2024Jul 17National Hot Dog Day
SundaySunJul 21, 2024Jul 21National Ice Cream Day
TuesdayTueJul 23, 2024Jul 23Amazon Prime Day
WednesdayWedJul 24, 2024Jul 24National Tequila Day
MondayMonJul 29, 2024Jul 29National Chicken Wing Day
ThursdayThuAug 01, 2024Aug 01National Girlfriends Day
SundaySunAug 04, 2024Aug 04National Sister Day
WednesdayWedSep 18, 2024Sep 18National Cheeseburger Day
ThursdayThuOct 03, 2024Oct 03National Boyfriends Day
FridayFriOct 04, 2024Oct 04National Vodka Day
FridayFriOct 04, 2024Oct 04National Taco Day
WednesdayWedOct 09, 2024Oct 09Leif Erikson Day
SaturdaySatOct 19, 2024Oct 19Sweetest Day
TuesdayTueOct 29, 2024Oct 29National Cat Day
ThursdayThuOct 31, 2024Oct 31Halloween
SundaySunNov 03, 2024Nov 03National Sandwich Day
FridayFriNov 29, 2024Nov 29Black Friday
MondayMonDec 02, 2024Dec 02Cyber Monday
SaturdaySatDec 07, 2024Dec 07Candle Day
MondayMonDec 09, 2024Dec 09National Pastry Day
FridayFriDec 20, 2024Dec 20National Ugly Sweater day