Memorial Day is considered a federal holiday in the United States in which we honor and mourn members of the military who have passed while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

WHEN IS MEMORIAL DAY 2022?

Men and women who’ve served and sacrificed their lives in the U.S. Armed Forces are honored on Memorial Day on May 30.

The history of Memorial Day

Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day began with an idea from General John Logan as a way to honor the fallen soldiers of the Civil War. The first celebration on May 30, 1868, was held at Arlington National Cemetery with a crowd of 5,000 people decorating the graves of over 20,000 military personnel with flowers. Most experts believe General Logan planned the first Decoration Day for that day because Northern and Southern states would have flowers in bloom by then, though others believe the date was ideal because it didn’t coincide with the anniversary of any battles. Various Washington officials, including General Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home, among others, made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers, and singing hymns. Many also came prepared with a picnic lunch.

It wasn’t until after World War I that Memorial Day was expanded to honor all veterans who died in any American war. In 1971, Decoration Day became officially known as Memorial Day and Congress passed an act declaring it a national holiday. That same year, Memorial Day was moved from May 30 to the last Monday in May by President Lyndon B. Johnson. “This will…enable families who live some distance apart to spend more time together,” President Johnson noted in his official statement regarding what is now known as the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.

New York was the first state to declare Memorial Day an official holiday, followed by other northern states, but the southern states had their own designated day to honor fallen Confederate soldiers. The observances remained separate until the completion of World War I, when Memorial Day was changed to honoring the fallen Americans who fought in any war. Some southern states continue to honor the Confederate dead: January 19 in Texas; April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Georgia; May 10 in North and South Carolina; and June 3 in Louisiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Why don’t we say “Happy Memorial Day”?

While it’s tempting to say “Happy Memorial Day”, and you may not have ill intent when saying it, it’s important to remember the meaning of the holiday before you say this. Memorial Day is a day to honor those who sacrificed their lives while serving in the military. As the Code of Support Foundation points out, it’s a deeply personal day for many who lost loved ones in the service. Some think saying “Happy Memorial Day” puts the holiday is a more cheerful light, as opposed to the day of honor and remembrance it’s meant to be. Instead of saying “Happy Memorial Day,” the Code of Support Foundation offers an alternative phrase: “I wish you a meaningful Memorial Day.”

Memorial Day traditions

There are a number of Memorial Day activities that families enjoy participating in every year, but there are also a few meaningful Memorial Day traditions you can honor.

Memorial Day poppies

People wear poppies to honor America’s war dead in a Memorial Day tradition that dates back to the poem “In Flanders Fields,” written in 1915 by John McCrae. Inspired by the poem’s image of red poppies scattered through cross-shaped grave markers, American Moina Michael and France’s Anna E. Guerin started selling artificial poppies as a fundraiser for children affected by the war. Now, many Americans pin a poppy on their shirt as a sign of respect.

National Moment of Remembrance

To ensure the sacrifices of America’s fallen heroes are never forgotten, President Bill Clinton signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act” in December of 2000. The law encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.

Hang your flag at half staff

Federal guidelines say the flag should be displayed at half-staff only until noon, then go up to full-staff until sundown.

Playing “Taps”

During the Civil War, a U.S. general thought the bugle call signaling bedtime could use a more melodious tune, so he wrote the notes for “Taps” in 1862. Another officer later used the bugle song for a funeral, fearing the traditional firing of rifles might sound like an attack. Now, “Taps” is a traditional part of Memorial Day celebrations.

Visit a local veterans cemetery

Some of the graves in a veteran cemetery are well maintained and decorated by families. Bring flowers and lay them by a grave that doesn’t have any.

HOW TO OBSERVE MEMORIAL DAY

Pay your respects

Lay flowers on the grave of a family member or friend who died while serving. If you don’t personally know any fallen soldiers, visit a local cemetery anyway. After all, they made the ultimate sacrifice for you.

Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance

By doing so, you’ll be joining millions of Americans in national unity to honor Memorial Day for what it truly is — a day to remember those who laid down their lives in service of their country and its citizens.

Fly the flag

If you have an American flag at home, be sure to fly it at half-mast until noon, then raise it to full mast for the rest of the day. The practice of lowering and then raising the flag has been observed for over 100 years to symbolize America’s persistence in the face of loss.

CREATIVE WAYS TO DECORATE

FOR MEMORIAL DAY

Unfurl those flags

Often people store their American flags and raise them only during patriotic holidays. This is definitely one of those days.

Line your walkway with mini flags

Nothing honors our deceased veterans like dozens (or even hundreds) of flags in your front lawn and entryway.

Red, white, and blue layered cake

It’s a decoration you can eat.

Stars and Stripes windsocks

It’s festive, fun, and patriotic. Need we say more?

Symbolic flowers

Even if you haven’t lost a loved one who served in the military, you can still honor the fallen with flowers at home. Red, navy, and blue dahlias combined with white rose silk flowers can make a stunning visual combination.

WHY MEMORIAL DAY IS IMPORTANT

Reflection

While the outdoor grilling, parades, and beautiful summer weather are some of our favorite perks of Memorial Day, the last Monday in May is the best time of year to quietly reflect on the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. They make us feel inspired and challenged to be better— and that’s a wonderful feeling!

Summer – almost

We know, we know — summer officially begins on June 21. But in the minds of all Americans, summer actually begins on Memorial Day. That means it’s totally okay to dust off the grill, fill up the pool, and unplug.

Family

Since Memorial Day is a federal holiday with a built-in three-day weekend, we have an extra day to catch up on quality time with family members. For those of us with relatives who died while serving in the military, Memorial Day is sacred.

2022 Memorial Day Events

Arlington National Cemetery

The Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony takes place at the Amphitheater. The president of the United States typically delivers an address at the Memorial Day ceremony. Numerous military and government organizations also conduct services. All ceremonies and special events are free and open to the public.

National Memorial Day Concert

The National Memorial Day Concert will be broadcast on Sunday, May 29, 2022, at 8 p.m. Eastern.

National Memorial Day Parade

Hosted by the American Veterans Center, the National Memorial Day Parade returns in person for 2022 along Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C. The event begins at 2 p.m. Monday, May 30, 2022.

National WWI Museum and Memorial

The National WWI Museum and Memorial’s annual ceremony in Kansas City, Missouri, will feature keynote speaker Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Larry R. Jordan. It takes place from 10-11 a.m. Monday, May 30, 2022, and is free to the public. The museum is also hosting a slate of other events and observances on Memorial Day and during the days leading up to the holiday.

“Rolling To Remember” rally

A series of events to honor the nation’s prisoners of war and missing-in-action is set to take place over the Memorial Day weekend in Washington, D.C. The “Rolling To Remember” rally is scheduled to conclude with a ride by thousands of bikers from RFK to the National Mall on Sunday, May 29. The motorcycle demonstration ride, hosted by AMVETS, is also a call for action to prevent veteran suicides.

Heroes Honor Festival

The Heroes Honor Festival, hosted by military-empowerment nonprofit Engage Your Destiny and sponsored by Fox Nation, takes place at Daytona Speedway in Florida on May 27-28. The event, with planned appearances by Gov. Ron DeSantis and entertainers Toby Keith and Ann-Margret, is free for veterans and their families.