Memorial Day Countdown

From Decoration Day

The observance grew out of Decoration Day, proclaimed in 1868 after the Civil War, when communities decorated soldiers' graves with flowers. It became Memorial Day and moved to the last Monday of May in 1971.

How it's observed

Flags fly at half-staff until noon, Arlington National Cemetery holds its annual ceremony, and at 3 p.m. local time Americans pause for the National Moment of Remembrance.

Why the poppy

The red poppies pinned on lapels each May trace to 'In Flanders Fields,' the 1915 poem written after the Second Battle of Ypres. Inspired by it, American professor Moina Michael vowed in 1918 to wear a red poppy year-round in remembrance — and campaigned until veterans' groups adopted it as the official flower of remembrance.

Quick facts

• Observed on the last Monday of May
• Grew out of Decoration Day, proclaimed in 1868
• The National Moment of Remembrance is at 3 p.m. local time
• Also marks the unofficial start of summer
• The remembrance poppy tradition began with a 1915 poem

A U.S. federal holiday

Memorial Day is one of the 11 official U.S. federal holidays. Not sure which one comes next? The next federal holiday countdown always ticks down to whichever is soonest — and the next long weekend countdown tells you when you're off work for 3 days straight.

Remember & gather

Flags for those we honor, and the makings of a backyard afternoon.

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