1. What Is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, is a federal holiday dedicated to honoring and remembering the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Established after the Civil War, it was initially known as Decoration Day, a time for communities to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers and flags. The holiday was formalized by the Grand Army of the Republic in 1868, and over time, it expanded to honor all military personnel who have died in service to the nation. (cem.va.gov)
