How Many Days Until Memorial Day?
Memorial Day 2025 will be on Monday, May 26, 2025.
About Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties. The holiday is observed on the last Monday of May and was formerly known as Decoration Day.
History of Memorial Day
Memorial Day originated in the years following the Civil War, which claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history and required the establishment of the country's first national cemeteries. By the late 1860s, Americans in various towns and cities had begun holding springtime tributes to these countless fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers.
On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance. "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," he proclaimed.
The holiday was initially known as Decoration Day and was celebrated on May 30. After World War I, the observance was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress and placed on the last Monday in May as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
Memorial Day Traditions
National Moment of Remembrance
At 3:00 PM local time, Americans observe a moment of silence to remember and honor those who died in service.
Visiting Cemeteries
Many Americans visit cemeteries and memorials to place flags or flowers on the graves of fallen service members.
Flying Flags at Half-Staff
The American flag is raised to half-staff until noon, then raised to full staff for the remainder of the day.
Parades & Ceremonies
Communities host parades, speeches, and ceremonies to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Significance of Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance, set aside to honor those who gave their lives in service to their country. Unlike Veterans Day, which celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, living or dead, Memorial Day specifically honors those who have died while in military service.
While Memorial Day has also come to signify the unofficial start of summer in the United States and is often celebrated with barbecues, family gatherings, and outdoor activities, many Americans take time during these celebrations to remember the true purpose of the day and to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
"Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes that we can never fully repay. But we can honor their sacrifice, and we must."
- President Barack Obama
Ways to Honor Those Who Served
- Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 PM local time
- Visit a veterans' cemetery or memorial
- Display the American flag properly
- Attend a local Memorial Day parade or ceremony
- Support families of fallen service members through organizations that help military families
- Volunteer with veterans' organizations
- Share stories and memories of those who served