Memorial Day is a day of reflection and remembrance, established "to pay tribute to individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States and their families."
Memorial Day also symbolically marks the beginning of summer, because it coincides with the end of the school year in many states.
This guide is designed to assist congressional offices with work related to celebrating Memorial Day.
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, began as a day for honoring troops who died during the Civil War. The date and location of the first local observance is disputed.1 On May 30, 1868, the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union Civil War veterans, called for the first national observance by its members. In 1888, Congress passed an act making May 30 a holiday in the District of Columbia. Memorial Day is now officially observed on the last Monday in May, as prescribed in the 1968 Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials and placing American flags or wreaths in memory of those who have died in war. They may also participate in or attend Memorial Day parades.
Part of the Memorial Day observance is the National Moment of Remembrance. This practice encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3:00 p.m. local time for a moment of silence to remember and honor those who died in service to the nation.
In many communities, citizens assist veterans with the placement of flags on gravestones in cemeteries and distribute flags to people participating in parades. The American flag may also be flown or hung outdoors at an individual's home.
On Memorial Day, as on Veterans Day, artificial poppies are purchased, and the donations are used to help veterans and their widows, widowers, and children.
Uniform Monday Holiday Act (5 U.S.C. §6103)
National Moment of Remembrance Act (P.L. 106-579)
CRS has several reports detailing the history of federal holidays and addressing military casualties, including the following:
Members of Congress often make floor statements, issue press releases, or enter extensions of remarks into the Congressional Record to recognize federal holidays and observances. The following are some recent examples from the Congressional Record:
One of the many uses of a presidential proclamation is to ceremoniously honor a group or call attention to certain issues or events. Some recent Memorial Day proclamations, from the Compilation of Presidential Documents, include the following:
Presidential proclamations and remarks since 1993 are available through the GovInfo website from the Government Publishing Office. Earlier remarks are available through the American Presidency Project, established by the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Many other federal agencies provide resources on the history and observation of Memorial Day, including the following:
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See, for example, National Park Service, "Memorial Day—Over 150 Years of Remembrance," https://www.nps.gov/articles/memorial-day-history.htm; Jessica Kratz, "The Nation's Sacrifice: The Origins and Evolution of Memorial Day," Pieces of History, National Archives and Records Administration, May 24, 2018, https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2018/05/24/the-nations-sacrifice-the-origins-and-evolution-of-memorial-day/; and National Cemetery Administration, "Memorial Day History," https://www.cem.va.gov/history/Memorial-Day-History.asp. |
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Link provides access to proclamations and remarks made by President Trump during both of his nonconsecutive terms, where available. |
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Link provides access to proclamations and remarks made by President Trump during both of his nonconsecutive terms, where available. |