When is Memorial Day this year? Everything to know about the day of remembrance

Memorial Day is this month. The federal holiday offers some of the biggest sales and discounts of the year to kick off the summer. But the purpose of Memorial Day is to honor those who died in the line of duty.

The holiday is always on a Monday, but what date does it fall on this year?

What is Memorial Day?

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. It was spent decorating 20,000 graves of soldiers buried after the Civil War, according to PBS. Today it remembers all those who died in service to the United States.

When is Memorial Day 2024? Is it always on a Monday?

This year, Memorial Day is Monday, May 27. It is one of 12 observed federal holidays in the country. It is typically observed on the last Monday in May. Congress first established it as a holiday in 1971.

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What's the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?

Both holidays celebrate people who served in the U.S. military. However, on Memorial Day people typically remember those who died from war. Veterans Day honors all who served in the U.S. military.

What are Memorial Day traditions?

Schools and many businesses will close for the holiday to allow for a three-day weekend. You will likely see flags at half-staff from sunrise until noon to represent the "nation is in mourning," according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Flags are then raised to the top of the staff until sunset, according to History.com.

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: When is Memorial Day 2024? What to know about the federal holiday