On Monday, May 27, the United States will honor Memorial Day.
Each year on the last Monday in May, millions of Americans celebrate the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally, Memorial Day was called “Decoration Day,” and it became a reality a few years after the Civil War. In 1971, Memorial Day became a federal holiday.
When the war ended in 1865, people began to organize spring memorials for fallen soldiers. Three years later, General John A. Logan declared May 30 a day of national remembrance. When World War I began, the holiday expanded to honor soldiers who fought and died in all wars, not just the Civil War. In 1968, Memorial Day was set for the last Monday in May under the Uniform Holiday Monday Act passed by Congress.
Although the law recognizes specific federal holidays, this does not mean that people who work for private companies must have work off.
From Veterans Day to Christmas, these are the dates for the 2024 federal holidays.
New Year's Day: Monday January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday: Monday January 15
President's Day: Monday, February 19
Memorial Day: Monday, May 27
Sixteenth National Independence Day: Wednesday June 19
Independence Day: Thursday July 4
Working day: Monday September 2
Indigenous Peoples' Day (also observed as Columbus Day): Monday, October 14
Veterans Day: Monday, November 11
Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28
Christmas day: Wednesday, December 25
Other important days to keep in mind:
Valentine's Day: Wednesday February 14
Saint Patrick's day: Sunday March 17
Good Friday: Friday March 29
Easter: Sunday March 31
Easter: Monday, 22 April
