Memorial Day weekend is the perfect kickoff to summer. It entails cookouts with great food, trips to the beach and a long weekend - what more could you ask for? But Memorial Day is not just an excuse to tan and stuff your face with hamburgers. The true meaning behind this holiday is the real reason for celebration. Memorial Day became a national holiday in 1971 and is meant to honor both fallen soldiers and those currently serving our country. Here are eight interesting Memorial Day traditions that you may not have known about.
1. Each Memorial Day the U.S. flag is raised, lowered to half-mast and then raised again to full height at noon.
The purpose for lowering the flag to half-mast is to honor the millions of fallen soldiers who have died fighting for our country. By re-raising the flag, we symbolize the resolve of the living to carry on in the fight for freedom so that the fallen soldiers will not have died in vain.
2. The Arlington National Cemetery hosts a myriad of events each year on Memorial Day weekend.
Visitors can witness the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, see a quarter-million miniature flags decorating the graves in the cemetery, and attend the official Memorial Day service in the amphitheater.
3. Displaying red poppies is common during Memorial Day weekend to symbolize fallen soldiers.
The origin of this tradition stems from the famous poem “In Flander’s Field” by John McCrae, which was inspired by the red poppies he saw growing over the graves of World War I soldiers.
4. To make sure our troops are remembered on Memorial Day, Congress established the National Moment of Remembrance in 2000.
At 3 p.m. on the holiday, Americans are asked to pause for a moment and respect the fallen soldiers.
5. The National Memorial Day Concert takes place annually on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol and includes music, as well as tributes to the men and women who have served or are currently serving our country.
The concert is broadcasted live on PBS and NPR.
6. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania still annually hosts the oldest Memorial Day Parade in the nation.
Thousands of people attend every year and will often visit the Gettysburg Soldiers National Monument and Cemetery or tour the battlefield in addition to the parade.
7. The largest Memorial Day Parade since 2005 takes place on Constitution Avenue.
It typically draws in crowds of over a quarter-million people.
