Typically regarded as the unofficial beginning of summer and quite often the start of summer holidays, Memorial Day is meant as a way to remember and honor all the men and women who died in US military service.
Memorial Day’s origins can be traced back to the post Civil War period. Americans often mark the holiday with family gatherings and volunteers, family of fallen service members and veterans associations may visit military cemeteries to place American flags on graves.
It was declared a federal holiday in 1971 and before that was known as Decoration Day. Parades, backyard barbeques, family gatherings and the wearing of red poppy flowers and American flag pins are also traditional Memorial Day activities. It is always celebrated on the last Monday in May.