When is Memorial Day?

Why do we observe it?

Memorial Day honors U.S. military personnel who died in service. It grew from post–Civil War remembrance practices.

Traditions and celebrations

Many visit cemeteries and memorials; the day also marks an informal start to summer.

Planning tips

Allow space for remembrance when planning the long weekend; verify holiday transit and park hours.

Is it a federal holiday?

Yes. It is one of the U.S. federal holidays, though schedules for private employers, schools and states can differ.

Is it a bank holiday? What’s open and closed

Memorial Day is a federal holiday, so banks, the stock market, the post office and most government offices close nationwide. Individual banks, school districts and employers can still make their own call, so confirm directly if a closure affects an important errand or appointment.

The history behind the day

Memorial Day grew out of Decoration Day, first widely observed in 1868 to honor Union and Confederate soldiers killed in the Civil War by decorating their graves with flowers. Many towns claim to be the holiday’s birthplace, but Waterloo, New York was officially recognized by the federal government in 1966 as its origin.

The holiday expanded after World War I to honor all Americans who died in military service, and Congress made “Memorial Day” the official name in 1967. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved it to the last Monday in May starting in 1971.

How it’s marked across the country

Memorial Day is widely treated as the unofficial start of summer in the U.S., marked by parades, cemetery visits, the National Memorial Day Concert in Washington, D.C., and a moment of remembrance observed nationally at 3 p.m. local time under the National Moment of Remembrance Act of 2000.

One thing you might not know

Memorial Day is often confused with Veterans Day; Memorial Day honors service members who died, while Veterans Day honors all who served, living and deceased.

Remembrance and the long weekend

Memorial Day honors U.S. service members who died while serving. Earlier remembrance practices developed after the Civil War; the day was long known as Decoration Day because people decorated graves. It is distinct from Veterans Day, which honors all who served.

The last-Monday rule makes a three-day federal weekend, but the day’s central purpose remains remembrance. Cemeteries, memorials and community groups often share ceremony schedules well before May.

A respectful plan

If visiting a cemetery, check its posted visiting hours and guidance for flowers or flags. For a local ceremony, verify the location, accessibility and weather plan. A gathering can include a moment to learn a name or story connected to service.

Travelers should expect busy routes and variable park hours. Federal offices close on Monday, but businesses and local services choose their own schedules.

Memorial Day weekend checklist

• Two to four weeks ahead: reserve travel, campsites or timed-entry attractions.
• One week ahead: check ceremony times, road restrictions and local weather.
• Before the weekend: handle bank, postal and government errands that require an open office.
• At 3 p.m. local time: consider observing the National Moment of Remembrance.