Memorial Day 2021: What is it and why do people celebrate it?

 Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday now known as Memorial Day will be observed in the USA this Monday, May 31. It is a day for honoring the men and women who have died while on duty with the US military and it is a day where Americans across the country pay their respects, often by visiting military cemeteries or memorials.

When is Memorial Day 2021?

This year, Memorial Day will take place on Monday May 31. But, it's not always held on the last day of May. Instead, Memorial Day is held on the final Monday of May each year. In 2021, that happens to also be the final day of the fifth month.

It has been a holiday since the years following the end of the Civil War, which ended in 1865. Since then, American families have mourned fallen soldiers at this time of year.

Since 1971, it has been an official federal holiday in the USA. That legislation created a three-day weekend for federal employees around the final Monday of every May.

Why do people celebrate Memorial Day?

It's difficult to trace Memorial Day all the way back to its very beginnings, as various towns claim to have started the tradition. What is known is that it was originally called Decoration Day and that it started in the aftermath of the Civil War.

The idea behind Memorial Day is simple. It is all about paying respects to those who have died while serving the US military.

There are several different ways to pay respects, with some wearing red poppies, with others visiting military cemeteries or memorials and with the whole nation asked to respect the national moment of remembrance which takes place at 15:00 local time.

https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/2021/05/30/60b37892e2704ee9868b4646.html


COME ON OVER......


AND tell us what Memorial day means for YOU, if you have ever lost someone dear to you in service of this country, AND how you intend to spend the holiday?




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