50 Facts About Memorial Day

Last updated on February 27th, 2026

Random facts about Memorial Day

41. Poetry for the Fallen

Literary giants wrote poetry inspired by Memorial Day. They include Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Michael Anania, and Joyce Kilmer.

42. Music to Remember

The modernist composer Charles Ives created a symphony about the holiday based on his childhood experiences with his father and their march to the cemetery.

43. War on the Big Screen

The war film Memorial Day stars James Cromwell. During the 1993 holiday, the characters recall combat experiences during World War II and flash forward to the Iraq War.

44. Bright Red Poppy Pins

After a WWI battle, red poppies sprung up the blood-soaked field. Lt. Col. John McCrae wrote a poem about it as a tribute to the soldiers. Some wear a silk poppy during Memorial Day as a symbol of remembrance.

45. Women Took the Lead

In the Confederate states, the Ladies Memorial Association and the United Daughters of the Confederacy established permanent cemeteries, sponsored monuments, and organized commemoration ceremonies.

46. 1937 Memorial Day Massacre

A strike ensued because small steel manufacturers refused a union contract. Police fired at the crowd and killed ten people, tarnishing the sacred day.

47. Observing the Moment

During the National Moment of Remembrance, Amtrak trains across the US sound their whistles. Major League Baseball games also pause to pay tribute.

48. Alternative Actions

Individuals who wish to participate but are out on the roads may turn on their headlights instead of making a stop. They can also listen to Taps, a tune played for those buried with military honors.

49. The Cost of Freedom

Why 3 pm? It is a time when many Americans make the most of their freedom, so it is appropriate to remember the sacrifices that made it possible.

50. Holiday Sales

Bargain hunters often wait for Memorial Day. They know that plenty of stores across the US offer massive discounts during this holiday.