Published: May 26, 2017
Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, 2017, commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service and is designated by Federal law as the last Monday in May. Find links below to the Federal law and other related documents. Learn more about Memorial Day on the Department of Veterans Affairs' website.
President Donald J. Trump Proclaims Memorial Day, May 29, 2017, as a Day of Prayer for Permanent Peace.
“Memorial Day is our Nation's solemn reminder that freedom is never free. It is a moment of collective reflection on the noble sacrifices of those who gave the last measure of devotion in service of our ideals and in the defense of our Nation. On this ceremonious day, we remember the fallen, we pray for a lasting peace among nations, and we honor these guardians of our inalienable rights.”
36 U.S.C. 116 - Memorial Day
Federal law designates Memorial Day as a national observance and the last Monday in May.
Public Law 106 - 579 - National Moment of Remembrance Act - December 28, 2000
This Act designated 3:00 p.m. (local time) on Memorial Day each year as the ‘‘National Moment of Remembrance" and created the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance.