In what had long been celebrated every May 30 to honor America’s fallen soldiers, Memorial Day officially became a federal holiday in 1971, observed on the last Monday in May. The U.S. holiday is also considered the unofficial opening of the summer travel season, and Americans are expected to get away in record numbers over the long Memorial Day weekend.
U.S. Army soldiers stand with U.S. flags before President Donald Trump arrives to deliver the Memorial Day Address at the 157th National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
People hold a large U.S. flag in honor of Memorial Day during the playing of the national anthem prior to a baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
President Donald Trump salutes during a Memorial Day wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Va., Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Travelers walk through the skyway leading to terminal 3 at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Veterans listen to President Donald Trump speak during the 157th National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
President Donald Trump delivers the Memorial Day Address at the 157th National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Lisa Reif Caplan kisses her parent’s headstone while visiting Leavenworth National Cemetery on the eve of Memorial Day, Sunday, May 25, 2025, in Leavenworth, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Travelers gather to wait for their flights in the main terminal of Denver International Airport Friday, May 23, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance arrive at the 157th National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Travelers walk through the San Antonio International Airport, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
