Memorial Day

Top 5 Things To Know About Memorial Day

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer—but it’s also an important opportunity to pause and reflect. For teachers, it’s a chance to share with students the deeper meaning behind the holiday so they can truly understand and appreciate why it exists.

Before the long weekend begins, taking a few minutes to explore the history and significance of Memorial Day can help bring that meaning to life. Here are five important things to know—and share—about Memorial Day, starting with how it all began.

Memorial Day began in the aftermath of the Civil War, a time when communities across the country were mourning an unprecedented number of fallen soldiers. What started as local tributes of decorating graves gradually evolved into a national day of remembrance.

What to Share

• Originally called Decoration Day, focused on honoring fallen Civil War soldiers 
• First widely observed in 1868, organized by a Union veterans group 
• Many towns and cities held their own remembrance ceremonies, both North and South 
• Waterloo, New York is recognized as the official birthplace because it held one of the first community-wide, recurring observances 
• The holiday later expanded to honor U.S. military members who died in all wars and became a federal holiday in 1971

Memorial Day is marked by powerful symbols that help us remember and honor those who gave their lives in service. Understanding these symbols can give students and families a deeper appreciation for the traditions they may see or participate in.

What to Share

• The American flag at half-staff until noon honors the fallen, then raised to full-staff to symbolize the nation’s resilience 
• The red poppy became a symbol of remembrance after World War I, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields” 
• The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery represents all unidentified service members who died in war 
• Grave decorations with flags and flowers continue the original “Decoration Day” tradition 
• Military uniforms and salutes seen during ceremonies represent respect, honor, and remembrance

Over time, Memorial Day has developed meaningful traditions that help communities come together to honor those who have served. These customs continue to connect the present with the past and offer simple, powerful ways to show respect.

What to Share

• Visiting cemeteries and memorials to honor fallen service members 
• Placing flags or flowers on graves, continuing the original Decoration Day tradition 
• Observing the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m., a time for reflection across the country 
• Participating in or watching local parades and ceremonies honoring military service 
• Flying the American flag with proper etiquette, including half-staff observance

Across the country, Memorial Day is marked by large-scale events that bring communities together in remembrance. These ceremonies help honor fallen service members while keeping the meaning of the day visible on a national level.

What to Share

• The National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., one of the largest in the country, featuring thousands of participants and drawing tens of thousands of spectators each year 
• Ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, including a public wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, attended by national leaders and broadcast nationwide 
• The National Memorial Day Concert on the U.S. Capitol lawn, an annual televised event featuring well-known performers and tributes to military families 
• Local community parades and remembrance ceremonies, many with veterans groups, marching bands, and moments of reflection 
• Observances at major memorials, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and World War II Memorial, where visitors gather to pay respects

While many people recognize Memorial Day as the start of summer, its history includes powerful details that often go overlooked. These facts help show just how connected we still are to the people and events we remember.

What to Share

• The first national observance in 1868 took place at Arlington National Cemetery, where over 5,000 people decorated the graves of 20,000+ soldiers 
• The last Civil War veteran, Albert Woolson, died in 1956—nearly 100 years after the war ended 
• The last known Revolutionary War veteran, Daniel F. Bakeman, died in 1869, meaning someone who fought in America’s founding war lived into the Civil War era 
• Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, only about 60,000–70,000 are still alive today, most over the age of 95 
• Today, more than 150 national cemeteries across the United States continue Memorial Day observances each year

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What are your memories of Memorial Day growing up?