Memorial Day: public holiday being observed in US

WEB DESK: Memorial Day, a federal holiday, is being observed today in the US today (Monday) to mourn and honour its deceased service men and women.

The day is observed on the last Monday of May and is also considered the unofficial beginning of summer in the United States

Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day began after the Civil War as a way to honour Union soldiers who had died in the conflict.

The holiday’s name came from the tradition of decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. After World War I, it evolved to commemorate all American military personnel who died in any war or military action.

Today, it is observed as Memorial Day and serves as a solemn tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States.

Over time, Memorial Day became a day of national reflection and is now also seen as the unofficial start of summer.

HOW AMERICANS OBSERVE MEMORIAL DAY

• Many Americans mark Memorial Day with traditional acts of remembrance:
• The US flag is flown at half-staff from dawn until noon.
• A national moment of silence is observed at 3:00 pm local time.
• People visit cemeteries and memorials to honor fallen soldiers.
• Flowers and wreaths are placed on the graves of military personnel.
• Volunteers help decorate graves with American flags in national cemeteries.
• Communities hold parades, memorial services, and public events.

MODERN DAY TRADITIONS

While the day is rooted in remembrance, Memorial Day weekend also marks the unofficial start of summer in the US. Many families use the long weekend to relax and reconnect:

• Hosting barbecues, picnics, or family get-togethers
• Taking short trips or going on weekend vacations

Despite the festive mood, the spirit of honouring America’s fallen heroes remains central to the day.

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