🎖️ Countdown to Memorial Day 2026
Memorial Day is Monday, May 25, 2026
When Is Memorial Day 2026?
Memorial Day 2026 is on Monday, May 25, 2026. Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May. It honors members of the US military who have died in service.
🏛️ Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States.
Memorial Day Dates for the Next 10 Years
| Year | Date | Day of Week |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | May 27, 2024 | Monday |
| 2025 | May 26, 2025 | Monday |
| 2026 | May 25, 2026 | Monday |
| 2027 | May 31, 2027 | Monday |
| 2028 | May 29, 2028 | Monday |
| 2029 | May 28, 2029 | Monday |
| 2030 | May 27, 2030 | Monday |
| 2031 | May 26, 2031 | Monday |
| 2032 | May 31, 2032 | Monday |
| 2033 | May 30, 2033 | Monday |
| 2034 | May 29, 2034 | Monday |
| 2035 | May 28, 2035 | Monday |
| 2036 | May 26, 2036 | Monday |
About Memorial Day
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May. It honors members of the US military who have died in service. The holiday also marks the unofficial start of summer, with many Americans enjoying barbecues, pool openings, and outdoor activities.
History & Origins of Memorial Day
Memorial Day originated after the Civil War as "Decoration Day," when Americans placed flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers. Several communities claim to have held the first observance, but in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. The holiday was originally observed on May 30th, but in 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved it to the last Monday of May to create a three-day weekend. Memorial Day marks both a solemn day of remembrance for those who died in military service and the unofficial start of summer in the United States.
Traditions & How to Celebrate Memorial Day
- Visiting cemeteries and memorials to honor fallen service members
- Placing American flags and flowers on military graves
- Observing a moment of silence at 3:00 PM local time
- Attending Memorial Day parades and ceremonies
- Hosting barbecues and gatherings to kick off summer
- Flying the flag at half-staff until noon, then raising it to full-staff
- Wearing red poppies as a symbol of remembrance
- Attending or watching the National Memorial Day Concert
Fun Facts About Memorial Day
The red poppy became a symbol of remembrance thanks to the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae.
The National Moment of Remembrance was established in 2000, asking all Americans to pause at 3:00 PM on Memorial Day.
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer travel season — about 43 million Americans travel for the holiday.
Arlington National Cemetery hosts over 5,000 people for its annual Memorial Day ceremony.
The city of Ironton, Ohio has held the nation's oldest Memorial Day parade continuously since 1868.
Flags are flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon on Memorial Day, then raised to full-staff for the rest of the day.