Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday (Federal holidays in the United States) observed on the last Monday of May (May weekday in monthLastMondayMayCURRENTYEAR in CURRENTYEAR). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union (Union Army) soldiers of the American Civil War – it was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars.

In the United States, Memorial Day marks the start of the summer vacation season, and Labor Day marks its end.

Begun as a ritual of remembrance and reconciliation after the Civil War, by the early 20th century, Memorial Day was an occasion for more general expressions of memory, as ordinary people visited the graves of their deceased relatives, whether they had served in the military or not. It also became a long weekend increasingly devoted to shopping, family get-togethers, fireworks, trips to the beach, and national media events such as the Indianapolis 500 auto race, held since 1911 on Memorial Day.