When is Memorial Day in the US and what does it commemorate?

Memorial Day is one of the most notable dates in the US calendar – paying tribute to the US military as well as marking the unofficial start of summer.

While events across the US might have been more muted this year in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the country has still been marking the big day, with some people hitting the beach and other places as parts of the country began to re-open for business.

There’s a serious side to the day though – but just when is Memorial Day exactly and what does it commemorate?

Here’s what you need to know…

When is Memorial Day?

Memorial Day is traditionally held on the last Monday in May – which this year is today, 25 May.

It is believed that Memorial Day began in 1868, when it was celebrated on 30 May and was known as Decoration Day.

However the origin of the day – and its significance – remains a bit of a mystery.

This is on account of the date being moved around so often, being further confused by the fact that Congress in 1966 falsely claimed the tradition had started 100 years earlier in Waterloo, New York.

One historian has posted that celebrating Memorial Day actually began in 1865 after freed African-Americans held a parade of 10,000 people to honour 257 dead Union Soldiers, whose remains they had reburied from a mass grave in a Confederate prison camp.

By the 20th Century several different days that had sprung up across the US merged to become Memorial Day – but it didn’t change its name from Decoration Day until after the Second World War.

Congress eventually passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act on 28 June 1968, which moved four holidays, including Memorial Day, from their traditional dates to a specified Monday – bringing them more in line with British bank holidays as well as creating a three-day holiday.

That change saw Memorial Day move from 30 May to the last Monday in the month.

What does Memorial Day commemorate?

Memorial Day is one of three annual dates honouring the United States military.

This one is specifically dedicated to armed forces personnel who have died in action, although there is also a day for Veterans (Veteran’s Day) as well as Armed Forces Day, dedicated to current serving officers.

Memorial Day is basically the US equivalent of Remembrance Day, that’s observed on 11 November in the UK.

The day is normally marked with a service at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, where the president traditionally lays a wreath at the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier.

Under normal circumstances it’s also a time for parades and for people to spend time with families as they usher in the warmer summer months.

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