Memorial Day falls on the last Monday of May, honoring the American service members who died in the nation's wars. This countdown automatically targets the next one.
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.
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.