Memorial Day 2026

Daily News Article — Posted on May 22, 2026

Observed on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day is an annual day of remembrance to honor all those who died in service to the U.S. during peacetime and war. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, and volunteers place American flags on graves at national cemeteries. A national Moment of Remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. local time.

While Memorial Day honors those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, Veterans Day — November 11 — celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans. The day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all who served — not only those who died — have sacrificed and done their duty.

The following is from USMemorialDay.org:

Memorial Day started off as a somber day of remembrance; a day when Americans went to cemeteries and placed flags or flowers on the graves of our war dead. It was a day to remember ancestors, family members, and loved ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

But now, too many people “celebrate” the day without more than a casual thought to the purpose and meaning of the day. How do we honor the 1.8 million that gave their life for America since 1775? How do we thank them for their sacrifice? We believe Memorial Day is one day to remember.

We can do so by:

visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes
visiting memorials
flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon, then full staff until dusk
flying the ‘POW/MIA Flag’ as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act)
participating in a “National Moment of Remembrance” at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played
renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen dead, and to aid the disabled veterans

Boy scouts participate in placing flags at graves of veterans.

USMemorialDay .org has received many emails from people expressing their thanks for those who have served and gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country. The following, received in 1999 and used with the author’s permission, sums up all the emails USMemorialDay .org has received very elegantly, and is true to the original spirit and meaning of Memorial Day:

This weekend I am going to do something different. I am going to buy some carnations each day and go to one of the nearby cemeteries and walk through the sections for soldiers. When I find a grave that has no flowers, I’ll leave one and say a prayer for the family of that person, who for some reason could not bring their soldier flowers. I will pray for our country and all who serve or have served. For their families, who also serve by losing precious days, weeks and months spent with their loved ones who are off serving, preserving peace and the freedom we have in this country. I’ll pray for the families who paid the ultimate price, who’s loved ones died, or were taken captive and never returned. I’ll pray for anyone who may still be held in captivity and thinks perhaps they are forgotten. I do NOT forget. I’ll say a prayer for every person on the Internet who takes a moment from their time to come to sites like yours and be reminded of what this holiday really means. And I’ll say a prayer of thanks and ask God’s richest blessings on you.

Thank you again…. and God bless!
Sylvia Mohr

By Mike GlennMay 22, 2015 3 Families brave the rain and visit the graves of their U.S. serviceman and women on Memorial Day at the Houston National Cemetery, Monday, May 26, 2014, in Houston. Photo: Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / © 2014 Houston Chronicle Photo: Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle IMAGE 2 OF 6 Families brave the rain and visit the graves of their U.S. serviceman and women on Memorial Day at the Houston National Cemetery, Monday, May 26, 2014, in Houston.

Families brave the rain and visit the graves of their U.S. serviceman and women on Memorial Day at the Houston National Cemetery, Monday, May 26, 2014, in Houston.

In fact, wonderful people in other nations sometimes show more of the true spirit and mission of the U.S. Memorial Day than we do here. For example, a 2001 USMemorialDay .org Guestbook entry from a citizen of the Netherlands states:

Hi,

In 1999 I laid flowers at the grave of a young U.S. fighter pilot who was KIA in my village in 1945. In the Netherlands I know of schools ‘adopting’ graves of Allied servicemen, keeping those graves in excellent condition ! Does anybody know of adopting graves in the U.S. by schools?

Sincerely,
Paul Patist Castricum, The Netherlands – Tue May 15, 2001.

More schools in the U.S. could follow the lead of the Netherland schools. Let us take a few moments this Memorial Day to reflect on the meaning of the day, to observe the day and be mindful of the sacrifices of others before we go and enjoy the freedoms they bought for us.

Reprinted from usmemorialday.org/observe.htm. For educational purposes only.

A woman places a small American flag into a ceremonial boot before the annual Run, Honor, Remember 5K at Fort Bragg, N.C., May 16, 2026. The event is dedicated to honoring service members who gave their lives in defense of the nation. (Photo: Jason Ragucci, U.S. Army)

Questions

NOTE: Read the "Background" and "Resources" below before answering the questions.

1. Why was Memorial Day originally called Decoration Day? When/how did it change?

2. What was the original purpose for Memorial Day?

3. a) List the suggestions provided by the website USMemorialDay for how Americans should observe Memorial Day.
b) What is the National Moment of Remembrance? – What is its purpose?

4. What flower and song are associated with Memorial Day? Explain the significance of each.

5. How will you commemorate Memorial Day this year? Take some time during the day to honor our fallen soldiers. Find out what is happening in your town by doing the following:

Do a search for “2026 Memorial Day Observances” + name of your city, state

Check your city hall's website for information on whether the city will hold a Memorial Day ceremony and/or parade.

Check with your local VFW, AmVets or DAV for information on their Memorial Day ceremonies.

6. a) Ask at least one grandparent how his/her family, school and community commemorated Memorial Day when he/she was a teenager.
b) Ask a parent how his/her experience differed from that of your grandparent.

7. Read one of the commentaries linked to under “Resources” below the questions.
a) What adjectives would you use to describe the character of these soldiers?
b) Choose one of the heroes described in the article and read more about his story.

Background

Watch the National Memorial Day Concert on Sunday, May 24th on PBS.

Watch/read some of the the concert's Featured Stories.

Watch "Armed Forces Medley," a compilation of all five U.S. military service songs, from the 2024 National Memorial Day Concert:

FACTS ABOUT MEMORIAL DAY: (from usmemorialday.org's "History" page)

Originally called Decoration Day, from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags, Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country.
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868 when a special ceremony was held at the Arlington National Cemetery where flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers.
Memorial Day was originally known as “Decoration Day.” The alternative name “Memorial Day” was first used in 1882.
Moina Michael conceived of the idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. In 1921, her efforts resulted in the poppy being adopted as a symbol of remembrance for war veterans by the American Legion Auxiliary.
Memorial Day is usually observed in the United States on the last Monday of May.
Memorial Day was first enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, but its scope was expanded after World War I to include all U.S. men and women who died while in the military service.
Waterloo, NY was given an official recognition as the birthplace of Memorial Day on May 26, 1966, when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a proclamation declaring the same.
The National Moment of Remembrance, established by Congress in 2000, asks Americans, wherever they are at 3 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day, to pause in an act of national unity for a duration of one minute. The time 3 p.m. was chosen because it is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday. The Moment does not replace traditional Memorial Day events; rather, it is an act of national unity in which all Americans, alone or with family and friends, honor those who died in service to the United States. (At this time, NASCAR has its drivers pull over mid-race. Major-league baseball pauses its games, and Amtrak trains blow their whistles.)
The idea for the Moment was born when children touring the Nation’s Capital were asked by the Commission’s Director what Memorial Day means. They responded, “That’s the day the pool opens.”
The National Memorial Day Concert takes place on the west lawn of the United States Capitol and is broadcasted every year on PBS and NPR.