Memorial Day | Definition, History, & Facts (2024)

American holiday

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Also known as: Decoration Day

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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Memorial Day: Arlington National Cemetery

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Formerly:
Decoration Day
Key People:
John A. Logan
Related Topics:
United States
armed force
holiday
May

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Top Questions

When is Memorial Day?

Memorial Day is celebrated in the United States on the last Monday in May. In 2021 Memorial Day is on May 31.

What is the history of Memorial Day?

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, began during the American Civil War when citizens placed flowers on the graves of those who had been killed in battle. After World War I, it came to be observed in honour of those who had died in all U.S. wars, and its name changed to Memorial Day.

What are some Memorial Day traditions?

Memorial Day traditions include the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery; religious services, parades, and speeches across the United States; and the placement of flags, insignia, and flowers on the graves of veterans.

Memorial Day QuizSee how much you know about Memorial Day traditions by taking this quiz.

Should election day be made a national holiday like Memorial Day?

Whether election day should be made a national holiday like Memorial Day is debated. Some say a holiday would increase voter turnout by enabling more people to vote while celebrating democracy. Others say a holiday would disadvantage low-income and blue collar workers and corporations should have better policies for voting time off. For more on the debate about making election day a national holiday, visit ProCon.org.

Memorial Day, in the United States, holiday (last Monday in May) honouring those who have died in the nation’s wars. It originated during the American Civil War when citizens placed flowers on the graves of those who had been killed in battle. More than a half dozen places have claimed to be the birthplace of the holiday. In October 1864, for instance, three women in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, are said to have decorated the graves of loved ones who died during the Civil War; they then returned in July 1865 accompanied by many of their fellow citizens for a more general commemoration. A large observance, primarily involving African Americans, took place in May 1865 in Charleston, South Carolina. Columbus, Mississippi, held a formal observance for both Union and Confederate dead in 1866. By congressional proclamation in 1966, Waterloo, New York, was cited as the birthplace, also in 1866, of the observance. In 1868 John A. Logan, the commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans, promoted a national holiday on May 30 “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.”

After World War I, as the day came to be observed in honour of those who had died in all U.S. wars, its name changed from Decoration Day to Memorial Day. Since 1971 Memorial Day has been observed on the last Monday in May. A number of Southern states also observe a separate day to honour the Confederate dead. Memorial Day is observed with the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, and by religious services, parades, and speeches nationwide. Flags, insignia, and flowers are placed on the graves of veterans in local cemeteries. The day has also come to signal the beginning of summer in the United States.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.

Memorial Day | Definition, History, & Facts (2024)

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