Memorial Day 2024: Is Memorial Day a national holiday?

From New Year’s Day to Christmas Day, the United States has 11 federal holidays in a year, including holidays and observances that honor the Armed Forces. One of these is Memorial Day.

This holiday is celebrated annually on the last Monday in May, so in 2024 it falls on May 27.

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Is Memorial Day a national holiday in the US?

Memorial Day has been a federal holiday for more than 50 years. Also known as “Decoration Day,” it originally only honored those who died in the Civil War.

However, this changed after the First World War. Since then, all those who have died serving their country in combat are remembered on Memorial Day.

For years, Memorial Day was celebrated on May 30. However, an act of Congress in 1971 changed the celebration to the last Monday of May, and added it to the list of the country’s federal holidays.

This celebration was created primarily because a considerable number of federal employees were also members of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union Civil War Veterans who wished to participate in Memorial Day ceremonies.

As it is a national holiday, government offices, as well as post offices, libraries, schools, the stock exchange and banks generally remain closed, while some supermarkets, pharmacies and restaurants are open for business.

READ ALSO: Banks and post offices on Memorial Day

How is Memorial Day celebrated?

Every year, the president of the United States or the vice president visits Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, where the president shares a speech to honor the memory of those who died in combat.

The United States flag is also raised at half-mast from dawn to noon. American families also visit cemeteries. Many get together to share meals and hold barbecues.

For those who are looking to take advantage of bargains, retail stores and supermarkets often offer great discounts and deals during the Memorial Day long weekend.