Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May in the United States, which honors the men and women who gave their lives in the military. Memorial Day is widely recognized throughout the nation and is commemorated by parades, family gatherings, and visits to cemeteries.

The federal holiday has a long history and has become one of the longest-lasting and well-known holidays in the country. We’ll take you through the evolution of Memorial Day into what it’s become today and how you can commemorate the day each year.

The Origins of Memorial Day

The Civil War had the highest death rate of all American wars when you account for the country’s population size at the time. Over 600,000 lives were lost, and the death toll inspired the creation of one of the country’s first national cemeteries.

The Civil War ended in 1865, and many American cities and towns started holding tributes to the fallen in the late 1860s. People would decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers while reciting prayers. While it’s hard to pin down where these traditions started, the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, as the official birthplace of Memorial Day.

Before it was known as Memorial Day, it was known as Decoration Day, which used to be held on May 30th. Decoration Day was established in 1868 and was originally intended to honor those who died fighting in the Civil War.

However, America found itself in many wars since then, including both World Wars. Around the time of World War I, Decoration Day turned into what has become Memorial Day, an annual holiday that honors those who have lost their lives in all American wars and conflicts.

Up until 1968, Memorial Day was observed on May 30 each year. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act passed and moved Memorial Day to the last Monday in May to create a three-day weekend for federal employees.

Memorial Day Traditions

Many Americans still commemorate Memorial Day like our ancestors did in the late 1800s. Families, friends, and community members visit cemeteries and memorials, and some even wear red poppies to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, a tradition carried over since World War I.

You’ll also find Memorial Day parades, which often include service members and veteran’s organizations. Many people will also take the long weekend to go on trips with family and friends or host barbeques. For some people, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer.

How You Can Commemorate Memorial Day

On top of barbeques or taking trips with loved ones, there are many other ways you can commemorate Memorial Day in your hometown. Here are some of the ways we recommend commemorating Memorial Day this year:

1. Attend a Ceremony

Many towns and cities will have parades, ceremonies, or other events on Memorial Day or during the weekend before that Monday. You can check your city's website or social media pages to see what events are happening around you. Some cities have social media groups created by the community where you can ask around and learn more about events or ceremonies.

2. Volunteer

If you want to give back on Memorial Day, you can look for volunteer opportunities in your community. If you live near a military installation or a populated military community, you can usually find volunteer activities that benefit members and retirees of the armed forces. If you don’t live around the military, you can still find opportunities to volunteer, whether you’re offering your help during Memorial Day events or giving back to your community in other ways.

3. Decorate With Flags

One of the oldest traditions of Memorial Day is to decorate the graves of fallen service members with flags. If you’re not comfortable doing this or want a way to commemorate Memorial Day at home, you can follow another tradition, which involves flying your flag at half-staff from dawn until noon.

4. Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance

Every Memorial Day, there is a National Moment of Remembrance, which asks us to pause for one minute to unify the members of our nation. This moment occurs at 3 p.m. local time. If you’re hosting an event or out with loved ones, you can set an alarm to help you remember and participate in the National Moment of Remembrance together.

5. Buy a Poppy

Poppies hold a unique significance to Memorial Day. These flowers represent the memory of fallen soldiers and reference the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae, written during World War I. Up until Memorial Day, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) accept donations for poppies. These donations go toward maintaining service programs and rehabilitation services for veterans.

Take a Moment With MLC to Remember Those We Have Lost

Military Luggage Company knows the additional time off is great for spending time with loved ones and enjoying the nice weather. We do ask anyone reading this to take a moment during Memorial Day to remember those we have lost and appreciate what they have given up for our safety and freedom.