Today, the country comes to a relative standstill as those fallen in combat are remembered by those for whom they sacrificed their lives.
While Memorial Day is unfortunately now more associated with vacation, beach days, and mattress sales, the day is actually quite somber.
In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y., the “birthplace” of Memorial Day. There, a ceremony on May 5, 1866, honored local Page 2 veterans who had fought in the Civil War. Businesses closed and residents flew flags at half-staff.
In 1971, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act and established that Memorial Day was to be commemorated on the last Monday of May. It is the fourth federal and state holiday of the year.
Here’s what’s open and what’s closed for Memorial Day:
Government Services
Federal, state, and local government offices will be closed Monday, including post offices and courts. Public schools will also be closed for the holiday.
Banks and Financial Markets
Banks and U.S. stock markets will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. Most FedEx and UPS services will be unavailable, though some limited special deliveries may still be offered.
Retail and Shopping
While Costco will be closed for the day, most other major retailers will remain open, many hosting holiday sales. Store hours may vary by location, and customers are encouraged to check ahead.
Travel Outlook
Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of the summer travel season. More than 45 million Americans were expected to travel at least 50 miles from home for the Memorial Day weekend, according to AAA — a number that would set a new record for the holiday weekend.
Of those travelers, 39.4 million were projected to travel by car, while 3.61 million would fly, a nearly 2% increase from last year. Gas prices have dropped compared to 2024, giving individuals and families some more breathing room as far as their travel plans are concerned.
Despite increased travel, some flyers remain cautious due to recent air traffic disruptions, including equipment failures and staffing shortages that have caused delays and cancellations at major airports, including at Newark Liberty International Airport.