Last updated on May 25th, 2023
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.