Memorial Day (United States) 2026
Memorial Day (United States) 2026 falls on Monday, May 25, 2026.
What is Memorial Day (United States)?
Memorial Day falls on the last Monday of May — May 25 in 2026 — and is dedicated specifically to honoring military personnel who died while serving in the US armed forces, distinct from Veterans Day, which honors all veterans, living and deceased.
Where the tradition comes from
The holiday originated as Decoration Day in the years following the Civil War, when communities began decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. It was officially renamed Memorial Day and expanded to honor all American war dead after World War I, and Congress fixed it to the last Monday in May in 1971 as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
How it's observed in 2026
Memorial Day closes federal offices, banks, and the postal service, and unofficially marks the start of summer in the US. Many communities hold parades and ceremonies, and it's customary to observe a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time.
Common questions
What's the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?
Memorial Day honors military personnel who died in service; Veterans Day, observed in November, honors all veterans, living and deceased.
What day is Memorial Day 2026?
Monday, May 25, 2026 — always the last Monday in May.
Is Memorial Day the unofficial start of summer?
Yes — along with Labor Day marking summer's unofficial end, Memorial Day weekend is widely treated as the season's opening in American culture.