memorial day was changed to the last monday in may in 1971.
memorial day was changed to the last monday in may in 1971.
when was memorial day changed to the last monday in may?
1971
the name "memorial day", which was first attested in 1882, gradually became more common than "decoration day" after world war ii but was not declared the official name by federal law until 1967. on june 28, 1968, congress passed the uniform monday holiday act, which moved four holidays, including memorial day, from their traditional dates to a specified monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. the change moved memorial day from its traditional may 30 date to the last monday in may. the law took effect at the federal level in 1971. after some initial confusion and unwillingness to comply, all 50 states adopted congress's change of date within a few years.
memorial day
memorial day









































memorial day (previously but now seldom called decoration day) is a federal holiday in the united states for remembering and honoring the military personnel who died while serving in the united states armed forces. the holiday is observed on the last monday of may. memorial day was observed on may 30 from 1868 to 1970.









































many people visit cemeteries and memorials on memorial day, particularly to honor those who died in military service. many volunteers place an american flag on each grave in national cemeteries.
memorial day