2027 Memorial Day

Memorial Day, the last Monday of May, is a federal holiday honoring US service members who died in the line of duty. It began as Decoration Day after the Civil War, when communities decorated soldiers' graves with flowers, and moved to its current Monday slot when the Uniform Monday Holiday Act took effect in 1971. The President traditionally lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, small flags are placed on graves, the national flag flies at half-staff until noon, and a National Moment of Remembrance is observed at 3 p.m. local time. Alongside the ceremonies, the three-day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer with barbecues, beach trips, the opening of public pools and the Indianapolis 500, and retailers run major sales. Millions travel, so expect crowded highways and airports and book accommodation early. This countdown ticks to midnight Eastern Time in New York at the start of Memorial Day.