Memorial Day is celebrated in the United States every third Monday in May. In 2021, the celebration will be somewhat restricted as the country continues vaccination efforts, but more events honoring this historic date will take place. Memorial Day is a federal holiday; therefore, banks, federal institutions such as the United State Postal Service, and schools will be closed. In a post-pandemic Memorial Weekend, 2021 is brining an increase on travel by Americans, according to airlines, airports and transportation authorities.
Here are six facts to know about this important American Holiday.
- Memorial Day is a day of remembrance, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the US armed forces. It was initially called Decoration Day.
- According to the U.S. Census, 16.1 million served in the U.S. Armed Forces worldwide on active duty during a period of war.
3. Millions of graves are decorated with flowers and American flags every Memorial Day and weekend. These are two significant symbols for this day.
4. The graves of US military personnel, veterans and their spouses are at 147 national cemeteries, and they are decorated with flags; same for state veterans cemeteries.
5. On Memorial Day, the flag of the United States is raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains only until noon. It is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day.
6. The United States celebrates Memorial Day every third Monday in May since 1971, and it encompasses a 3-day long weekend. Veterans’s Day is in November.
The liberties, rights and privileges we enjoy in this country are something to be grateful for. Millions of lives were lost to protect our freedom. Every time you see a soldier or a veteran, thank them for their service.
Sources: Wikipedia, History.com, and US Census.
-Lupita Franco Peimbert
Lupitanews.com 