Memorial Day

Flags at Arlington National Cemetery

On May 28th of this year – the last Monday of the month – Americans will have the day off work and school. Some will attend picnics or even parades, maybe take in a baseball game, go swimming, or just relax and enjoy the three-day weekend and the start of summer.

But others will get up early on their day off and go out to local cemeteries. There they will pay their respects to those American military personnel who died serving their country. In attendance at these ceremonies, there will be many veterans of the U.S. military from all generations. Officially, however, the day is set aside not so much to praise the living veterans (they are honored on Veterans Day, November 11), but rather those who died in battle or from wounds received in battle in any of America’s wars or armed conflicts.

Related Links

• The History of Memorial Day
  (Source: PBS)
• Memorial Day Background
  (Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
• Memorial Day
  (Source: History.com)

Critical Thinking Questions

1. Make Inferences: Why might some people be concerned about businesses having a big sales push on Memorial Day?
2. Main Ideas and Details: What is the main message of Memorial Day?
3. Compare: What are the similarities and differences between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?