Memorial Day 2025

Memorial Day commemorates the women and men who have died while in military service, and it will be observed this year on May 26, 2025, the last Monday in May as designated by Federal law (36 U.S.C. 116).

Flags In - Soldiers assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as 'The Old Guard,' place U.S. flags at gravesites in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., May 23, 2024. (Source: Department of Defense )

“America is the only country in the world founded on an idea: an idea that all people are created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout their lives. We've never fully lived up to that, but we've never, ever, ever walked away from it. Every generation, our fallen heroes have brought us closer. Today, we're not just fortunate heirs of their legacy. We have a responsibility to be the keepers of their mission: that that truest memorial of their lives—the actions we take every day to ensure—that our democracy endures, the very idea of America endures.

Ladies and gentlemen, 160 years ago, the first American solider was laid to rest on these hallowed grounds. There were no big ceremonies, no big speeches, no family members to mourn their loss, just the quiet grief of the rolling green hills surrounding them. Today we join that grief with gratitude: gratitude to our fallen heroes, gratitude to the families left behind, and gratitude to the brave souls who continue to uphold the flame of liberty all across our country and around the world. ”

Begun in the late 1860s as Decoration Day, spring flowers were distributed at graves to honor those fallen in the Civil War. By the end of the 19th century, ceremonies were being held in cities across the country. In 1966, the Federal Government declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day. (Source: The Origins of Memorial Day, Department of Veterans Affairs )

Public Law 106-579, signed into law December 28, 2000, created the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance, and it designated 3:00 p.m. (local time) on Memorial Day each year as the ‘‘National Moment of Remembrance." At this time, all Americans are encouraged to pause wherever they are for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.

On Memorial Day, Presidents continue to commemorate those who have died in service to the country by visiting Arlington National Cemetery and speaking to the nation. Search our site to read Memorial Day remarks from other Presidents at Arlington National Cemetery in the Presidential collections.

While Memorial Day holds a special significance, honoring the memory of fallen heroes and supporting their families and veterans should be a year-round commitment. Many organizations and individuals dedicate themselves to assisting veterans and their families, ensuring that the sacrifices made by those who served are never forgotten. As we gather with loved ones, let us take a moment to express our gratitude for the selflessness and unwavering dedication of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. May their memory forever inspire us to strive for a better world.

Related Resources

• Tour the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier online.
• Check out the Memorial Day Procedings of the Arlington National Cemetery on their website.
• Learn more about American memorials with the American Battle Monuments Commission.