When is Memorial Day 2024? Here's what day it fall on this year and why we honor it

As Easter has passed, two major holidays are approaching in May in the U.S.: Mother's Day and Memorial Day.

Only Memorial Day is a federally recognized holiday when banks, schools and many nonessential government offices are closed and employees get a paid holiday.

Memorial Day is always observed on the last Monday in May, granting many people a three-day weekend and traditionally marking the unofficial start of summer. It was created to honor military members who lost their lives in service to the country.

Mother's Day is not a federal holiday in the same sense as Memorial Day, but on May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day, according to history.com.

Here’s when Memorial Day is this year, how it originated and why we continue to celebrate it.

What holiday is after Easter?

In the United States, celebrations and holidays that come after Easter include Cinco de Mayo on May 5, Mother's Day on May 12 this year and Memorial Day on May 27.

What holiday is in May?

There are two holidays in May: Mother's Day and Memorial Day. Many people in the U.S. also celebrate Cinco de Mayo in May.

When is Memorial Day 2024?

Memorial Day 2024 is on May 27.

What day is Memorial Day this year?

Memorial Day is always celebrated on the last Monday of May. In 2024, Memorial Day is on Monday, May 27.

It was first observed on May 30, 1868, and for decades on that date after Gen. John A. Logan, the leader of the Grand Army of the Republic for Northern Civil War veterans, had called for a nationwide day of remembrance.

In 1968 when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act – to give federal employees more three-day weekends throughout the year – Memorial Day moved to the last Monday in May. It was also declared a federal holiday in 1971.

When is Memorial Day weekend 2024?

Memorial Day weekend starts on Friday, May 24, 2024, and lasts through the holiday on Monday, May 27.

Is Memorial Day a federal holiday?

Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1971.

Is Memorial Day a national holiday?

Memorial Day is a national holiday observed on the last Monday of May each year.

What does Memorial Day celebrate?

Memorial Day originally was established as Decoration Day to commemorate those who lost their lives while fighting in the Civil War.

When the United States became involved in World War I, Memorial Day expanded to honor American military personnel who died in all wars, including World War II, the Vietnam War, the Korean War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to History.com.

Reach the reporter at dina.kaur@arizonarepublic.com. Follow @dina_kaur on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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