Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States of America, celebrated annually on the last Monday of May. The day is in honor of the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The holiday has its origins in the aftermath of the Civil War, where an organized commemoration of the dead began to emerge from the ashes of the country's deadliest conflict.
On Memorial Day, many Americans visit cemeteries and memorials to pay their respects to those who lost their lives in conflicts and wars. It is also traditional to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff from dawn until noon. Many people see the day as the unofficial start of the summer season with picnics, barbecues, and family gatherings.
Although, primarily a day of remembrance, Memorial Day is also known for some of the largest sales events and parades of the year. In cities and towns across America, parades are staged as a manifestation of patriotic observance. It is a traditional observance with ceremonies in various town centers, cemeteries, and monuments. All in all, Memorial Day remains a significant and solemn checkpoint on the American calendar, a day of reflection and recognition of ultimate sacrifices made.