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| Memorial Day - - Longwood Drive 2015 |
Memorial Day - Remembering the People
Who Died
While Serving in the Armed Forces
EMPEHI HEROES
empehiheroes.blogspot.com
Memorial Day - Last Saturday in May
| Memorial Day | |
|---|---|
 The gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery are decorated by U.S. flags on Memorial Day weekend. | |
| Official name | Memorial Day |
| Observed by | United States |
| Type | National |
| Observances | Remembrance of American war dead |
| Date | Last Monday in May |
| 2015 date | May 25 |
| 2016 date | May 30 |
| 2017 date | May 29 |
| 2018 date | May 28 |
| Frequency | annual |
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces.[1] The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May,[2]originated as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868, when the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans founded in Decatur, Illinois — established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers.[3] By the 20th century, competing Union andConfederate holiday traditions, celebrated on different days, had merged, and Memorial Day eventually extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service.[1] It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.
Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.
