Memorial Day has been observed in some form for more than 150 years, but the holiday holds more history, tradition, and surprising detail than most people realize. Here are some facts worth knowing as you head into the long weekend.
The Indianapolis 500 Connection
The Indianapolis 500 has been held on Memorial Day weekend almost every year since 1911, making it one of the holiday’s longest-running traditions. The race eventually became known as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and remains one of the most-watched single-day sporting events in the world.
Taps Was Not Always the Standard
The bugle call “Taps” was composed during the Civil War in 1862 by Union General Daniel Butterfield, who felt the existing bugle call for lights out was too formal. His bugler, Oliver Willcox Norton, played the new melody that evening, and it spread quickly through the Army. It became the standard call at military funerals in 1891 and remains one of the most recognized and moving pieces of music in American culture.
Arlington National Cemetery’s Origin
Arlington National Cemetery was established during the Civil War on the grounds of Robert E. Lee’s former estate. Union soldiers began being buried there in 1864 as the capital’s existing cemeteries filled up. Today, Arlington is the final resting place of more than 400,000 veterans and military family members, with an average of 27 to 30 burials taking place every single day.
The Flag Has Specific Instructions
On Memorial Day, the United States flag is flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon, then raised to full staff for the remainder of the day. The half-staff period represents mourning. The raising to full-staff at noon represents the living taking up the resolve of those who died. It is one of the only days of the year with this specific two-part flag protocol.
More Than 40 Countries Have a Similar Day
Memorial Day is distinctly American, but the concept of a national day to honor fallen military is observed in more than 40 countries around the world. The United Kingdom observes Remembrance Day on November 11th. France, Belgium, and Canada observe similar traditions tied to the end of World War I. Australia and New Zealand mark ANZAC Day on April 25th.
Memorial Day’s meaning gradually broadened after World War I, shifting from honoring Civil War dead to remembering all Americans who died in military service. Over time, the holiday also became associated with the unofficial start of summer. Concerns that its original purpose was fading helped inspire efforts such as the National Moment of Remembrance in 2000.
The Numbers Behind the Holiday
More than 1.3 million Americans have died in military service since the Revolutionary War. Memorial Day weekend is also one of the most traveled weekends of the year, with an estimated 45 million Americans hitting the road or taking to the skies, a reminder of how much the freedoms secured by those we honor are woven into everyday American life.
From everyone at DailyFed, we wish you a meaningful Memorial Day. 🇺🇸
