An article summarized by History:

Memorial Day is a U.S. federal holiday dedicated to honoring the men and women who died while serving in the American military. Observed on the last Monday of May, the holiday began as “Decoration Day,” named for the tradition of decorating soldiers’ graves with flowers, flags, and tributes. While Memorial Day honors fallen service members, Veterans Day recognizes all who have served, particularly living veterans.

The holiday’s roots trace back to the aftermath of the Civil War, which killed roughly 620,000 soldiers and led communities across the country to create memorial traditions for the dead. Although several places claim to have started the observance, the federal government officially recognized Waterloo, New York, as Memorial Day’s birthplace. In 1868, Union veteran leader General John A. Logan established a national Decoration Day, and over time the observance expanded beyond Civil War casualties to honor Americans killed in all wars.

Memorial Day officially became a federal holiday in 1971 after Congress moved it to the last Monday in May to create a three-day weekend. Today, Americans observe the day through parades, cemetery visits, memorial ceremonies, and a national moment of remembrance at 3 p.m. local time. The holiday is also widely associated with family gatherings, travel, and the unofficial start of summer.

Thank you to all of those who served!

For the article: https://www.history.com/articles/memorial-day-history