USA, — Memorial Day stands as America's most significant annual observance dedicated to honoring fallen military personnel. Observed on the final Monday of May, this federal holiday has evolved from its Civil War origins into a nationwide tradition of remembrance.

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Memorial Day is a U.S. holiday that’s supposed to be about mourning the nation’s fallen service members, but it’s come to anchor the unofficial start of summer and a long weekend of travel and discounts on anything from mattresses to lawn mowers.

Today is Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, traces its roots to the aftermath of the Civil War. Communities across the United States-North and South, Black and White-began the tradition of decorating soldiers’ graves with flowers in springtime to honor those who died in the conflict[1][2].

A series of community events in Minneapolis will honor the life of George Floyd on Friday, as organizers hope to create a space for healing, reflection and a commitment to racial justice. The second annual Day of Remembrance began with an interfaith prayer in front of the Hennepin County Government Center.

The Flowers of Remembrance ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier invites members of the public to place a single flower at the base of the tomb. It offers a rare opportunity to approach the iconic memorial up close.

Families, friends and local officials gathered for a solemn Memorial Day ceremony filled with music, memories and powerful messages of remembrance. Among those in attendance were parents who brought their children to use the day as a living history lesson.