MEMORIAL DAY: MAY 25, 2015

MEMORIAL DAY IN UNITED STATES

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day and commemorates all men and women, who have died in military service for the United States. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day and it is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season.

Memorial Day remembers those who died serving the United States military.

©iStockphoto.com/ Alan Crosthwaite

What do people do?

It is traditional to fly the flag of the United States at half mast from dawn until noon. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries. Memorial Day is combined with Jefferson Davis’ Birthday in Mississippi.

Memorial Day has become less of an occasion of remembrance. Many people choose to hold picnics, sports events and family gatherings on this weekend. This day is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season for cultural events. For the fashion conscious, it is seen as acceptable to wear white clothing, particularly shoes from Memorial Day until Labor Day. However, fewer and fewer people follow this rule and many wear white clothing throughout the year.

Public life

Memorial Day is a federal holiday. All non-essential Government offices are closed, as are schools, businesses and other organizations. Most public transit systems do not run on their regular schedule. Many people see Memorial Day weekend as an opportunity to go on a short vacation or visit family or friends. This can cause some congestion on highways and at airports.

Background

Memorial Day started as an event to honor Union soldiers, who had died during the American Civil War. It was inspired by the way people in the Southern states honored their dead. After World War I, it was extended to include all men and women, who died in any war or military action.

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. The current name for this day did not come into use until after World War II. Decoration Day and then Memorial Day used to be held on May 30, regardless of the day of the week, on which it fell. In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed as part of a move to use federal holidays to create three-day weekends. This meant that that, from 1971, Memorial Day holiday has been officially observed on the last Monday in May. However, it took a longer period for all American states to recognize the new date.

Memorial Day Observances

 

Weekday	Date	Year	Name	Holiday type	Where it is observed
Mon	May 28	1990	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 27	1991	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 25	1992	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 31	1993	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 30	1994	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 29	1995	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 27	1996	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 26	1997	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 25	1998	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 31	1999	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 29	2000	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 28	2001	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 27	2002	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 26	2003	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 31	2004	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 30	2005	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 29	2006	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 28	2007	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 26	2008	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 25	2009	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 31	2010	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 30	2011	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 28	2012	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 27	2013	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 26	2014	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 25	2015	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 30	2016	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 29	2017	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 28	2018	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 27	2019	Memorial Day	National holiday
Mon	May 25	2020	Memorial Day	National holiday