(Gray News) – President Donald Trump will participate in ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to commemorate Memorial Day.
Memorial Day is a holiday to honor those who died while serving in the U.S. military.
A member of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment pauses to salute as he and others place American flags at headstones during the Annual Flags-In Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in preparation for Memorial Day, Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Arlington, Va.(Rod Lamkey | AP Photo/Rod Lamkey)
Memorial Day dates to the Civil War, when Americans sought to honor the more than 500,000 soldiers killed.
It later became a day to honor fallen soldiers in all U.S. wars and was designated a federal holiday in 1971.
Many Americans observe Memorial Day by taking part in parades or laying wreaths or flowers at gravesites.
It also unofficially serves as the kickoff to summer, with many families gathering for pool parties and barbecues.
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