Memorial Day

Memorial Day 2025: Discover America’s oldest and biggest parades | Which city holds the crown?

Every year on the last Monday in May, the United States honors the members of the US Armed Forces that gave the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.

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Gidget Alikpala

Gidget writes for the latest news section of AS USA, covering breaking news and current affairs. She previously worked for TV for many years, both on and off-camera, as anchor, producer, and writer, reporting on topics from international to lifestyle news. She earned her master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Update: May 24th, 2025 22:32 EDT

The US will commemorate Memorial Day 2025 on 26 May this year. The national holiday dates back over 150 years and honors the members of the US Armed Forces that gave the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.

The origins of the holiday can be traced back to the aftermath of the American Civil War. Originally known as Decoration Day, it was established as a time for the country to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers and pay tribute to their contributions.

The American Veterans Center is excited to partner with Events DC to support the 2025 National Memorial Day Parade. As the official convention and sporting authority for Washington, DC, Events DC is honored to support this meaningful tradition that pays tribute to the service and… pic.twitter.com/iUY2gZ1mxb
— American Veterans Center (@AVCupdate) May 24, 2025

Memorial Day day-long events

Memorial Day is marked by various activities and traditions such as memorial ceremonies, observing a minute of remembrance, and planting flags on graves.

Parades are a highlight of the holiday, and there seems to be some disagreement as to which town held the oldest one.

The longest-running Memorial Day parades

According to the U.S. Veterans Magazine, the Ironton-Lawrence Memorial Day parade held in Ironton, Ohio, is “recognized as the oldest continuously running Memorial Day parade in the nation, beginning all the way back in 1868. It adds that “the oldest (and first) Memorial Day parade in the country was held a year earlier in Doylestown, Pennsylvania”.

However, according to Doylestown Post, “Since 1868 Doylestown, Pennsylvania has held annual Memorial Day parades which it claims to be the nation’s oldest continuously running.” It goes on to say that the parade in Rochester, Wisconsin, predates Doylestown’s by one year.

It’s the Nation’s LARGEST! We’re along Constitutional Ave. NW where the National Memorial Day Parade kicks off at 2PM today. @AVCupdate President Tim Holbert joined @fox5dc to speak about the parade’s importance & what’s new this year.
Live again at around 7:45, 8, 8:45 & 9a👇 pic.twitter.com/aM3FbEjl5y
— Stephanie Ramirez (@RamirezReports) May 27, 2024

The biggest Memorial Day parades

There is also no consensus on which city holds the largest parade. The U.S. Veterans Magazine says that both the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., and the Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade in Queens, New York, lay claim to being the biggest Memorial Day parade in the country.

Banks and post offices on Memorial Day

Celebrations

Why Memorial Day is more than just a long weekend

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