Memorial Day will be observed on Monday, May 26, 2025. It is a federal holiday to honor American military personnel who died during military service. Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day because Americans would decorate the graves of soldiers who died in the Civil War. In 1971 it became a federal holiday and was fixed as the last Monday of May. Flags are flown at half staff until noon on that day.
While there are many traditions of civilizations honoring fallen soldiers, it was General John A. Logan who is credited with choosing May 30 to be Decoration Day when citizens would decorate the graves of those who were killed in the Civil War. Logan was the commander-in-chief of the Union veterans’ group known as the Grand Army of the Republic. 9 Things You May Not Know About Memorial Day offers more information about this day and its background.
In addition to being a day to honor those who died fighting for the country, Memorial Day has become the unofficial start of summer. (The official start of summer is June 20, 2025.) Barbecues, parties, going to the beach and to amusement parks, mix with parades, displaying flags and visiting cemeteries.