24 events to celebrate the Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of summer (2023)

FAQs

What does Memorial Day mark the unofficial start of? ›

Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of summer and is often observed with barbecues and other celebrations that stray far from its solemn roots.

(AP) — Memorial Day is supposed to be about mourning the nation's fallen service members, but it's come to anchor the unofficial start of summer and a long weekend of discounts on anything from mattresses to lawnmowers.

Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day to honor and mourn those who died while serving in the U.S. military. Many volunteers place American flags on the graves of military personnel in national cemeteries. Memorial Day is also considered the unofficial beginning of summer.

Memorial Day is supposed to be about mourning the nation's fallen service members, but it's come to mark the unofficial start of summer and a long weekend of discounts.

When Is The First Day Of Summer in 2023? The first day of summer arrives with the solstice on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 10:58 a.m. EDT. For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, Earth is tilting mostly toward the Sun.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice (aka summer solstice) occurs when the Sun reaches its highest and northernmost points in the sky. It marks the start of summer in the northern half of the globe.

The seasons are defined as spring (March, April, May), summer (June, July, August), autumn (September, October, November) and winter (December, January, February).

On the longest day of the year, Summer Begins in the Northern Hemisphere. It is also known as the Summer Solstice, which happens either on June 20th, 21st, or 22nd.

Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.

What do most people do on Memorial Day weekend? ›

Many towns and cities across the US celebrate with parades and events to recognize Memorial Day—often concluding with a moment of silence or memorial service. These are excellent community events and are perfect for the entire family, combining excitement, education, and the outdoors.

Many people attend parades, go to the beach or have cook-outs with friends and family. But at its heart, Memorial Day is a day when Americans reflect on the sacrifice of those who have given their lives in military service.

Try something like: “Enjoy your weekend, but I want you to know that I will be remembering what this holiday is about.” “Enjoy your weekend, and I will be thinking about those who are no longer with us.” “I will be taking a moment this weekend to honor those who served our nation and are no longer with us."

So, can you say "Happy Memorial Day?" Yes, of course, you can...especially if it comes from a place of grateful joy for the life we live today that was provided by the sacrifices of generations before. On Memorial Day, take time to reflect on the men and women who gave it all for us.

Memorial Day is and always has been a very important and honorary day for all of those who chose to fight for our country. They were not forced to be put into that position; those certain people knew what they needed to do to make our country a better place. This is why we celebrate a day called Memorial Day.

Memorial Day was first observed by placing flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers on May 30, 1868. After World War I, Memorial Day was changed from honoring Civil War dead to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war.

Initially observed every May 30, the holiday was originally called Decoration Day until 1967, when the name changed. During the Vietnam War, the date was also moved to the last Monday of May when it became a federally mandated holiday in 1971.

The longest day of the year is in summer. The summer solstice marks the point when the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky. This is the longest day of the year and after this point, the days slowly begin to get shorter until the winter solstice which occurs around 21 December.

How do you celebrate the beginning of summer? ›

Celebrate the first night of summer with a dinnertime picnic in an unusual place, like on top of your building's parking garage for city dwellers, or in a spot along a scenic country road. Play games or perhaps it's time to dust off your bikes and ride until hunger — or an inspirational patch of grass — strikes.

At or centred on the summer solstice, daylight hours are longest and darkness hours are shortest, with day length decreasing as the season progresses after the solstice. The earliest sunrises and latest sunsets also occur near the date of the solstice.

Where did the word summer come from? The word summer is quite old. It's recorded before the year 900 and comes from the Old English word for the season, sumor. It's related to the Dutch zomer, the German Sommer, and the Sanskrit samā (which means “year”).

July: The Month of Fun

July is summer. Summer is July. It is prime vacation month with the best warm weather of the year, and Fourth of July is the best party of the year because it lasts all day.

The nature in the summer season is full of bright colors, everything around is flourishing, the birds are singing and you can feel that the nature around you is lining! Plants and trees are giving fruits, a lot of flowers are blooming with the different colors and everyone can feel amazing smell in the air.

The June Solstice in the Calendar

Even though most people consider June 21 as the date of the June solstice, it can happen anytime between June 20 and June 22, depending on the time zone.

The winter solstice occurs in December, and in the northern hemisphere the date marks the 24-hour period with the fewest daylight hours of the year. That is why it is known as the shortest day of the year, or the longest night of the year.

The summer solstice is the smallest day of the year, and it occurs on the 21st of June, whereas the winter solstice is the biggest day of the year which falls on the 21st of December.

Over the years, Memorial Day has grown to include traditions such as the red poppy of remembrance, various parades and ceremonies, and the National Moment of Remembrance. Attending parades and public ceremonies can be a great way to show your kids the importance of remembering.

Why is Memorial Day important? ›

Memorial Day is the day when the nation honors the brave, selfless men and women who gave their lives while in this country's service. It also is the day each year when Americans put special emphasis on remembering family members and friends who have passed away.

They attend events ranging from community gatherings to large sports competitions. The Indianapolis (“Indy”) 500 motor race, for instance, attracts an estimated 300,000 people on the Saturday before Memorial Day. But many Americans also visit cemeteries, where volunteers often place American flags on graves.

Each Memorial Day, we come together as a nation to express our gratitude and pay tribute to those fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service and defense of this nation.

And yes, 44% of us do indeed plan to barbeque over Memorial Day weekend, while 16% take a trip. Memorial Day's place on the calendar has made it the unofficial start of summer for many.

The true meaning of Memorial Day is “to remember the uncommon courage of all who sacrificed their own lives to protect others and secure freedom,” Annibale said.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, began during the American Civil War when citizens placed flowers on the graves of those who had been killed in battle.

Despite this, the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day in 1966.

Memorial Day is how we honor the soldiers, sailors, airmen, airwomen, and Marines who did not return home. The holiday dates back to the months immediately following the Civil War when a few towns and cities began honoring their dead.

Honorable Memorial Day Quotes

“May we never forget that freedom isn't free.” “We don't know them all, but we owe them all.” “Our flag doesn't fly because the wind moves it, but because of the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.” “We come not to mourn our dead heroes but to praise them.”

-I hope your Memorial Day is meaningful. -I wish you an enjoyable weekend where you remember those who are no longer with us. -Please join me in remembering the fallen soldiers who are no longer with us this weekend. I hope you remember the purpose of this holiday and enjoy your time with family and friends.

Who actually started Memorial Day? ›

It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former Union sailors and soldiers.

On May 1, 1865, thousands of newly freed Black people gathered in Charleston, S.C., for what may have been the nation's first Memorial Day celebration. Attendees held a parade and put flowers on the graves of Union soldiers who had helped liberate them from slavery.

Americans also observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials. Some people wear a red poppy in remembrance of those fallen in war—a tradition that began with a World War I poem.

Honoring the Civil War dead

Several places lay claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. One of the earliest accounts comes from Boalsburg, Pa., where, in October 1864, three women are said to have placed flowers and wreaths on the graves of men who had died serving the Union during the Civil War.

Memorial Day originally was known as Decoration Day when it began as a way to honor veterans of the American Civil War, shortly after the war ended. At least 25 towns across the country claim to be home to the first Decoration Day, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

There are several awareness months celebrated in May — though the five that often get the most attention include Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, National Clean Air Month, and No Mow May.

While saying “thank you” to veterans on Memorial Day may not be the traditional approach, it is always important to show respect and honor to those who have served.

Following its first nationwide distribution of poppies, the VFW adopted the poppy as its official memorial flower in 1922. However, a shortage of poppies from French manufacturers led to the idea of using unemployed and disabled veterans to produce the artificial flowers.

What should we say instead? The COSF suggests wishing someone a meaningful Memorial Day rather than a happy one, or encouraging loved ones to help remember those who have served. Above all, it's important to remember the purpose behind the three-day weekend.