Memorial Day is observed in the U.S. on Monday, May 27. While some Americans use the federal holiday as a time to relax and recharge, others view it as a day of mourning. To understand the origins and significance of Memorial Day, here are 10 number-based facts about the holiday including when it first took place, the birthplace of Memorial Day, and the number of American troops who have died in battle. The first Memorial Day observance was on May 5, 1868, known as Decoration Day, following the end of the Civil War in which an estimated 620,000 individuals lost their lives.
President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed Waterloo, New York, as the “birthplace of Memorial Day” in 1966, recognizing the village for holding one of the first Memorial Day observances 100 years earlier. Memorial Day became a floating federal holiday on January 1, 1971, when the Uniform Monday Holiday Act went into effect, moving the holiday from May 30 to the last Monday in May. As of May 2021, an estimated 651,031 American troops have died in battle from 1775 to 1991, with additional deaths in theater and in non-theater territories.
Approximately 1.3 million active-duty service members make up the U.S. armed forces, supported by over 778,000 civilian personnel and more than 767,000 National Guard and Reserve service members. Over 10,000 people participate in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., with Arlington National Cemetery receiving more than 135,000 visitors over the holiday weekend each year. On Memorial Day, around 260,000 graves at Arlington National Cemetery are decorated with American flags, highlighting the sacrifices made by U.S. troops.
Memorial Day is a popular time for travel, with over 43 million Americans expected to travel during the holiday weekend, with road trips being the most popular form of travel. The holiday is also celebrated with barbecues, with national meat sales reaching $1.3 billion during Memorial Day celebrations. Overall, Memorial Day serves as a time to remember and honor the sacrifices made by American troops throughout history, providing an opportunity for reflection, gratitude, and remembrance.
