Cities and towns across the United States host Memorial Day parades each year, often incorporating military personnel and members of veterans’ organizations. Some of the largest parades take place in Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C.
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. On a less somber note, many people take weekend trips or throw parties and barbecues on the holiday, perhaps because Memorial Day weekend—the long weekend comprising the Saturday and Sunday before Memorial Day and Memorial Day itself—unofficially marks the beginning of summer.

Here are five interesting facts about Memorial Day:
1. Memorial Day began as Decoration Day
2. Decoration Day only recognized fallen soldiers of the Civil War until World War I
3. Memorial Day was not an official holiday until 1968
4. Memorial Day is one of the few days flags are ordered to fly at half-staff then full-staff
5. Civil War veterans tried to change the date of the Indianapolis 500 to keep it away from Decoration Day
Birthday Images Wishes Wishing Memorial Day.
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