- May 22, 2026
Memorial Day is distinct from Veterans Day because it is specifically dedicated to U.S. military personnel who died in service. Veterans Day honors all U.S. military veterans who have served in the armed forces. The Memorial Day weekend is widely considered as the unofficial start of summer in the U.S.
On May 5, 1868, General John Alexander Logan, American soldier, politician and leader of the Grand Army of the Republic (a Union veterans group), issued General Orders No. 11 dedicating a day, initially observed on May 30, called Decoration Day (now Memorial Day). This special day was intended for nationwide remembrance to honor military service members who died in the line of duty in the American Civil War. The first official wide-ranging observance of Decoration Day was held on May 30, 1868. Traditionally, graves of the nation’s fallen heroes are decorated with American flags and various flowers, particularly in national cemeteries.
Soldiers of the Confederate States of America, who are buried in national parks and cemeteries, are also honored with small American flags placed on their graves. Occasionally, with park superintendent permission, small Confederate flags to supplement, not replace, the American flag can be placed on Confederate graves by groups such as the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Following World War I, the focus of the holiday expanded to include all U.S. military personnel killed in all conflicts, and the name “Memorial Day” gradually replaced Decoration Day.
In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared Waterloo, New York as the official birthplace of Decoration Day/Memorial Day because it hosted the first organized community-wide event on May 5, 1866.
In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act which made the name Memorial Day official and moved the federal holiday to the last Monday in May, creating a three-day weekend. The Act’s provisions, including the Memorial Day changes, took effect in 1971.
In 2000, Congress established the National Moment of Remembrance which encourages all Americans to voluntarily pause for one minute at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day to honor American service members who died in service.
In 2026, Memorial Day is celebrated on May 25.
In 1865, former enslaved Black people and missionaries exhumed 257 American Civil War Union soldiers, who died from disease and harsh environmental elements, from mass graves at the Florence Stockade (a notoriously brutal Confederate prisoner-of-war camp where as many as 18,000 Union soldiers were imprisoned, about 2,800 of them died while incarcerated). The bodies of these 257 deceased Union soldiers were properly reburied at the Washington Race Course, now Hampton Park in Charleston, SC.
On May 1, 1865, approximately 10,000 people, the majority freed Black Americans, organized a ceremony in Charleston, SC to honor these 257 dead American Civil War Union prisoners. This event, referred to as “Martyrs of the Race Course,” was virtually whitewashed from American history for a long time; however, it is now widely recognized as the first Decoration Day/Memorial Day.
The Memorial Day holiday signals the start of summer and drives robust consumer spending led by travel and retail sales. In 2026, a projected new record of 45.1 million people is planning to travel, 39.4 million driving and 3.66 million flying.
Consumer reports indicate that the most planned purchases for the Memorial Day holiday are grills/outdoor cooking equipment (28%), summer apparel (27%), and home goods/decor (21%).
Major Memorial Day weekend events held in Washington, D.C. include the National Memorial Day Concert and the National Memorial Day Parade. Solemn ceremonies are held at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Other major nationally recognized events include the Chicago Memorial Day Parade and the Little Neck-Douglaston Parade in Queens, New York City.
Memorial Day Concert (Washington, D.C.): An annual free concert that gathers tens of thousands of people on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
National Memorial Day Parade (Washington, D.C.): The 2026 National Memorial Day Parade is called the Freedom 250 National Memorial Day Parade. It moves along Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C. This parade is the largest Memorial Day parade in the U.S. as it draws over 250,000 spectators and features marching bands, veterans and floats.
Arlington National Cemetery (Virginia): In accordance with the tradition of Decoration Day, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (“The Old Guard”) places over 260,000 American flags at gravesites. The event also includes a national ceremony at the Memorial Amphitheater, a presidential address, military band performances, and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Chicago Memorial Day Parade (Chicago, IL): This event features a wreath-laying ceremony at Daley Plaza followed by a massive parade that moves south along Dearborn Street from Lake Street to Van Buren Street in Chicago.
Little Neck-Douglaston Parade (Queens, NY): Pre-parade activities include an interfaith service and a wreath-laying ceremony. The parade moves along Northern Boulevard from Jayson Avenue to 245th Street in New York City, and features civic organizations, local groups, marching bands and veterans. This parade includes thousands of participants and is recognized as one of the largest in the U.S.
Various Memorial Day weekend events held in Florida include the Daytona Beach Bandshell Concerts, Flagler County Memorial Day Ceremony, Florida Memorial Day Classic Basketball Tournament, Green Cove Springs Riverfest, Memorial Day ceremony in Flagler Beach and the Palm Coast Memorial Day Ceremony. The beaches around the state usually gather large crowds throughout the weekend as well.
Daytona Beach Bandshell Concerts: The Memorial Day weekend launches the summer concert series which features free live tribute shows. The Saturday night concert features fireworks.
Flagler County Memorial Day Ceremony (Bunnell): This annual event is held in front of the Government Services Building and honors fallen military personnel. The 2026 event features guest speakers including retired Major General Wilfred Hessert.
Florida Memorial Day Classic Basketball Tournament (Orlando): The largest basketball event in Central Florida features more than 600 elite teams (boys and girls, ages 8U-19U). This premier youth tournament is sponsored and hosted by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). The event is held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and the Orange County Convention Center throughout the Memorial Day weekend.
Green Cove Springs Riverfest: This event is centered around a memorial and veterans’ recognition ceremony. The event includes a flyover by the Dreamland Squadron (a private formation flying team), displays of military vehicles and memorabilia, courtesy of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA), a kids’ zone, over 100 vendors, live music and evening fireworks.
Memorial Day Ceremony in Flagler Beach: This annual event is held in Veterans Park and features a wreath presentation and color guard. A solemn ceremony, speeches from local officials, and a “Remembering Those Who Served” tribute to honor fallen service members are also included.
Palm Coast Memorial Day Ceremony: This annual event is held in Heroes Memorial Park and honors the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice while in service to the nation. The 2026 event will begin a new tradition which will publicly read aloud the names of fallen service members, whose names and branch of service have been submitted by participants, as a special tribute.
Ormond Beach Memorial Day Remembrance: This annual ceremony is held in Rockefeller Gardens and honors the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. The event features a ceremonial laying of wreaths, a concert band performance and guest speakers.
“We don’t know them all, but we owe them all.”
Happy Memorial Day!
