Memorial Day 2025 falls on Monday, May 26 and honors US military staff who died in service. It is originally known as Decoration Day, and it started after the Civil War and became a federal holiday in 1971. The day is characterized by cemetery visits, parades and a nationwide moment of silence at 3 p.m. Women are blowing US national flags during Rolling to Remember, formerly known as Rolling Thunder, a ride to raise an awareness of mental health issues among veterans on May 25, 2025. The day is a solemn opportunity in the United States and honors military staff who lost their lives while serving in the US Army. Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States that is observed annually on the last Monday of May. It is often considered the not -official beginning of the summer, but its origin is deeply rooted in memory and raw. Historical background, originally known as Decoration Day, was only widely observed the holiday after the American Civil War commemorating the Union and the Confederate soldiers who died in the fight. The practice of decorating soldiers’ graves with flowers was an important part of the compliance – hence the original name. The first official national compliance took place on May 30, 1868, following a proclamation by General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of veterans of the Union. After the First World War, the holidays developed to honor all US military staff who died in all wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by Congress and placed on the last Monday in May to create a three -day weekend. Importance While many Americans use the long weekend for family meetings, travel and braai, Memorial Day remains a time for national reflection. Across the country, people visit cemeteries, place flags and flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers and attend parades and memorial services. A national moment of remembrance is held at 3pm local time, where Americans are encouraged to wait in silence to honor those who have died. The holidays are also characterized by ceremonies in iconic places such as Arlington National Cemetery, where the President of Vice President typically lies a wreath at the grave of the unknown soldier.
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