Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. It also marks the unofficial start of summer and one of the year's busiest travel weekends. This live countdown shows how many days are left until Memorial Day.
Memorial Day at a glance
- Next date
- Monday, May 31, 2027
- Day of the week
- Monday
- How the date is set
- Memorial Day falls on the last Monday of May every year
- Category
- Holidays
Memorial Day dates for the next 5 years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Monday | |
| 2028 | Monday | |
| 2029 | Monday | |
| 2030 | Monday | |
| 2031 | Monday |
The history of Memorial Day
Memorial Day began after the Civil War as Decoration Day, when communities decorated the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. In 1868, General John A. Logan called for a national day of remembrance on May 30.
The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 moved Memorial Day to the last Monday of May, creating a three-day weekend starting in 1971. The holiday now honors Americans who died in all wars.
How the day is observed
Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, place flags on graves, and attend parades. Since 2000, the National Moment of Remembrance asks Americans to pause for one minute at 3:00 PM local time to honor those who died in service.
The long weekend is also a traditional kickoff to summer, with barbecues, beach trips, and the Indianapolis 500 race.
Frequently asked questions
When is Memorial Day 2027?
Memorial Day 2027 is on Monday, May 31, 2027. Memorial Day falls on the last Monday of May every year.
How many days until Memorial Day?
The live countdown at the top of this page shows exactly how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds are left until Memorial Day, calculated for your local time zone.
What is the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?
Memorial Day honors service members who died while serving in the military. Veterans Day, on November 11, honors everyone who has served, living or deceased.
Is Memorial Day a federal holiday?
Yes. Memorial Day is a federal holiday, so government offices, banks, schools, and the stock market are closed.