Memorial Day is celebrated in the United States on Monday, May 29th.
While some Americans use this federal holiday as a time of joy and rejuvenation, others view it as a day of mourning.
If you’re not sure why, here are 10 facts and figures to help you decide whether Memorial Day is the right day for you, current traditions for celebrating the day, and some key statistics about the U.S. military.
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1. When was the first Memorial Day observed?
2. Which state is Memorial Day originated in?
3. When did Memorial Day become a floating federal holiday?
4. How many American soldiers died in combat?
5. How many active duty military personnel are there in the U.S. military?
6. How many people take part in the National Memorial Day Parade?
7. How many people visit Arlington National Cemetery around Memorial Day?
8. How many flags are on graves at Arlington National Cemetery?
9. How many Americans travel over Memorial Day weekend?
10. How much does a Memorial Day barbecue cost (especially the meat)?
How much will a Memorial Day trip cost this year compared to last year?
1. When was the first Memorial Day observed?
According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the first Memorial Day in the United States was May 5, 1868, originally called Decoration Day by the Continental Army of the Republic.
President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and others arrive at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Memorial Day, May 31, 2021. (Getty Images)
That year, Americans visited Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and other cemeteries across the country to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers.
The Civil War had ended three years earlier (April 12, 1861 to April 9, 1865) and an estimated 620,000 people had died in the conflict.
2. Which state is Memorial Day originated in?
According to the Library of Congress, President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed Waterloo, New York, the “Birthplace of Memorial Day” on May 26, 1966, after records showed that the village held one of the first commemorative days at the local level 100 years ago.
President Johnson’s proclamation came in the midst of the Vietnam War, which had been ongoing for 11 years.
The Vietnam War lasted from November 1, 1955 to April 30, 1975.
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“Please join me in praying to Almighty God for the safety of our sons and daughters in Vietnam, and for His blessings on those who have given their lives for their country in this and every other war,” Johnson said at the time.
More than 20 cities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, which claims the first local celebration in October 1864.
3. When did Memorial Day become a floating federal holiday?
According to the U.S. Army Center of Military History, Memorial Day became a floating federal holiday on January 1, 1971, after the Uniform Monday Holiday Act went into effect.
This law changed Memorial Day from May 30th to the last Monday in May.
4. How many American soldiers died in combat?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs released its “America’s Wars” report in May 2021, estimating that 651,031 soldiers died in combat between 1775 and 1991.
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In the pouring rain, visitors walk among memorials and flags placed at gravestones at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zarbowski)
The bureau also estimated that 308,800 people died in the battlefield (areas where war was fought) and 230,254 people died off the battlefield (areas where no war was fought) during the same period.
5. How many active duty military personnel are there in the U.S. military?
According to the Department of Defense, the U.S. military is made up of approximately 1.3 million active duty military personnel.
The agency is also supported by 750,000 civilian employees and more than 811,000 National Guard and Reserve members, making it the nation’s largest employer.
Veterans march through the streets during the 152nd Memorial Day Parade in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on May 27, 2019. – The Kings County Parade is one of the oldest Memorial Day parades in the country. (Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images)
6. How many people take part in the National Memorial Day Parade?
More than 10,000 people took part in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC, according to Music Celebrations International, which co-organizes the parade in partnership with the National Veterans Center.
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7. How many people visit Arlington National Cemetery around Memorial Day?
Arlington National Cemetery reports that it receives more than 135,000 visitors each Memorial Day weekend.
A girl reacts in front of a gravestone on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on May 31, 2021. (Reuters)
8. How many flags are on graves at Arlington National Cemetery?
According to personal finance website WalletHub, about 260,000 graves at Arlington National Cemetery will be decorated with American flags on Memorial Day.
9. How many Americans travel over Memorial Day weekend?
Memorial Day is considered the unofficial start of summer for some Americans, making it a popular day for tourists.
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The American Automobile Association predicts that more than 42 million Americans will travel over the holiday weekend, according to its latest travel forecast.
Beachgoers gather in the Cherry Grove area on Saturday, May 29, 2021 in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. (Jason Lee/The Sun News via The Associated Press)
About 37.1 million Americans are expected to travel by car and about 3.4 million Americans are expected to travel by plane over Memorial Day weekend. About 1.85 million are expected to travel by alternative modes, such as cruise ships, buses and trains.
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10. How much does a Memorial Day barbecue cost (especially the meat)?
The holiday weekend is also a big day for barbecues, with national meat sales expected to hit $1.6 billion during Memorial Day celebrations and gatherings this year, according to a report from WalletHub.
Memorial Day is a popular day for barbecuing and getting together with family and friends. WalletHub reports that meat sales nationwide reach $1.6 billion during Memorial Day. (iStock)
