Memorial Day, one of the United States’ first federal holidays in several months, is almost here.
For many, it marks the unofficial start of summer as pools and outdoor activities open up, even though summer won’t officially start until the end of June.
But before you rev up those grills and kick up your feet, here’s a reminder of the holiday’s solemn purpose.
When is Memorial Day 2025?
Memorial Day 2025 falls on Monday, May 26. Since 1971, the holiday has fallen on the last Monday of May, so the date moves around a bit from year to year.
Why is Memorial Day acknowledged?
Memorial Day is observed every year “to mourn and honor its deceased service men and women,” according to the National Cemetery Administration.
When did Memorial Day become a holiday?
Memorial Day became an official national holiday in 1971 when the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, passed by Congress in 1968, became law. Before then, Memorial Day was celebrated on May 30 every year.
While it became an official national holiday late in the 20th century, Memorial Day’s origins can be traced back to the aftermath of the Civil War.
In May 1868, the Grand Army of the Republic, a Union veterans’ organization, declared May 30 a Memorial Day, or Decoration Day, to honor the country’s recently fallen soldiers and decorate their graves with flowers, according to the National Cemetery Administration.
The date of May 30 was not chosen because of historical significance, but rather because that was when the best spring flowers were available.
The holiday spread throughout the country and later expanded to honor all of the United States’ fallen soldiers after World War I. It wouldn’t be an official U.S. holiday until 1971.
What is closed for Memorial Day?
Non-essential government offices like post offices are closed on Memorial Day. State offices like the BMV will also be closed.
Outside of the government, banks will also be closed because they follow the federal holiday schedule. Specific retailers and other businesses may be open.
More: Are grocery stores open on Memorial Day 2025? Details for Costco, Walmart, Aldi, more
What are the 2025 federal holidays?
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New Year’s Day, January 1
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Martin Luther King’s Birthday, January 20
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Washington’s Birthday, February 17
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Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19
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Independence Day, July 4
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Veterans’ Day, November 11
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Thanksgiving Day, November 27
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Christmas Day, December 25
Breaking and Trending News Reporter Nathan Hart can be reached at [email protected] and at @NathanRHart on X and at nathanhart.dispatch.com on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: When is Memorial Day 2025? Why is it observed?
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