Remember
What Memorial Day honors.
Before the beach, the barbecue and the border: a short account of the day itself.
What it is
Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the United States military. It is observed on the last Monday of May.
It is easy to confuse with two other days. Veterans Day, in November, honors all who served. Armed Forces Day, in May, honors those currently serving. Memorial Day is for the fallen.
How it began
The day began as Decoration Day, after the Civil War, when communities decorated the graves of soldiers who had died. In 1868 General John A. Logan, commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued General Orders No. 11 naming May 30 for the observance, and the first national observance was held that day at Arlington National Cemetery. The name Memorial Day came into use in the following decades, and after World War I the day grew to honor Americans who died in every war. Federal law made "Memorial Day" the official name in 1967, and from 1971 the holiday has fallen on the last Monday of May.
How people observe it
- Many families visit cemeteries and memorials, and volunteers place flags at graves in national cemeteries.
- Under the Flag Code, the U.S. flag is flown at half-staff until noon, then raised to full staff.
- At 3:00 p.m. local time, the National Moment of Remembrance asks Americans to pause for a minute of silence, wherever they are.
Honoring it away from home
You do not need a cemetery to take part. If your weekend takes you to Rosarito, set a reminder for 3:00 p.m. on Monday, step away from the music for a minute, and let the people you are with know why. That is all the day asks.
Planning the weekend? See where to stay.