Don’t say ‘Happy Memorial Day’ and other facts about the holiday that kicks off summer

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of the sunny season, but it’s about more than just summer vibes and a three-day weekend.

Here’s some facts to consider:

When is Memorial Day?

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, is a federal holiday in the dedicated to honoring and remembering military members who died in the performance of their duties. It originated after the Civil War and was initially known as Decoration Day, a time when people would decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers.

Memorial Day is on May 27 in 2024. And though there will still be 25 days before the first full day of the summer season, the late-May holiday signals the start of the summer mindset for most of us.

That vibe continues through Labor Day — Sept. 2, this year — and makes up the unofficial summer for 14 weeks, or 99 days. (Except for every once in a while when the calendar gives us 15 weeks — 105 days — of summer. That next happens in 2026 and won’t happen again until 2037.)

And, no, it’s no accident that the unofficial summer lines up with the end and start of school. Standardized academic calendars in the mid-1900s helped set the concept.

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Memorial Day was declared a national holiday in 1971 and set for the last Monday in May. Prior to that, Memorial Day was on May 30.

Don’t say Happy Memorial Day

The holiday has always carried a somber tone, as it was meant as a day to reflect on and honor those who died in service.

Saying “Happy Memorial Day” isn’t as frowned upon as it once was, but it can still be considered insensitive.

If you fly an American flag at your home or business — or even on the beach or at the lake — lower it to half-staff until noon and then raise it to full-staff.

A moment of reflection is generally observed at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day as well.

If you visit a cemetery on Memorial Day you’ll find the graves of veterans decorated with flags and flowers.

And, of course, there’s usually plenty of parades and community celebrations.

At the shore, Memorial Day weekend typically marks the beginning of beach-tag season. If you don’t already have tags for your favorite beach, pre-season discounts are commonly available.