What does Memorial Day primarily honor in the United States?

Memorial Day primarily honors U.S. military personnel who died in service.

The holiday developed from Decoration Day ceremonies held after the American Civil War, when communities decorated the graves of fallen soldiers. Its purpose later broadened to include those who died in U.S. military service during all wars and conflicts.

Memorial Day ceremonies commonly feature cemetery visits, wreath-layings, speeches, flags, and moments of silence. These customs focus on remembering the dead rather than celebrating military service generally.

A frequent mix-up is with Veterans Day. Veterans Day honors all people who served in the U.S. armed forces, including living veterans, while Memorial Day honors those who died during military service. Armed Forces Day has yet another focus: recognizing people currently serving in the armed forces.