Arlington National Cemetery is the nation's first federal military cemetery. A ceremony is held each Memorial Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This year, Vice President Joseph Biden will lay the traditional wreath on the tomb while President Obama speaks at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Chicago.
Memorial Day is being celebrated Monday, May 30. It is a federal holiday observing the sacrifices of the nation's servicemen and -women. It started as a day to decorate the graves of fallen Civil War soldiers, particularly in the South, and many states adopted the day as Decoration Day to commemorate all U.S. soldiers after World War I.
Memorial Day was established as a federal holiday in 1971 by Congress. It falls on the last Monday in May.
Closed:
Federal, state and local offices; no mail delivery.
Banks
Public colleges and schools, most private schools
Public libraries
Most offices and businesses
BRTA is not running
Open:
Most retail outlets, groceries
Restaurants and bars, by choice
Convenience stores
For a list of parades and observances, click here.
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