What law moved Memorial Day to a Monday as part of a U.S. three-day-holiday schedule?

The Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved Memorial Day to a Monday as part of a U.S. three-day-holiday schedule.

Congress passed the law in 1968, and its provisions generally took effect in 1971. The act shifted several holidays, including Memorial Day, Washington’s Birthday, Labor Day, and Columbus Day, to Mondays.

Supporters argued that predictable Monday holidays would reduce midweek disruption and encourage travel and recreation. Critics, including some veterans’ groups, worried that moving commemorative holidays away from their traditional dates could weaken their historical meaning.

Memorial Day’s present rule places it on the last Monday in May. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act changed the calendar date, but not the holiday’s central purpose of honoring Americans who died while serving in the military.