Won’t Happen Again Until 2037 – What’s Unique About This Memorial Day

(KMDL-FM) You can tell by all the commercials you're hearing and seeing for Lowe's and Home Depot that there must be a three-day weekend lurking. There is, it's Memorial Day, and this weekend is the weekend that we enjoy certain aspects of that holiday, and we take time to remember the reason the annual observance was established by our government.

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Memorial Day, formerly Decoration Day, is a day set aside to honor the sacrifices of the men and women who have given their lives in service to our nation. There will be multiple Memorial Day events this weekend and on Memorial Day Monday as well.

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How Will Most Americans Observe Memorial Day?

For many Americans, Memorial Day is the unofficial start to the summer season. That means a lot of Louisiana families will be heading for the beaches. Here's the beach forecast for Alabama and Florida this weekend. Others might be searching for a campground, while others might only be looking for a barbecue pit and pool.

However you observe Memorial Day, I do hope that you will take a moment to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice that some other Americans have made so that you might enjoy this day.

Here is a little nugget of knowledge that you can spring on your friends and family as you gather together this weekend. There is something very unique about our upcoming Memorial Day.

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It has to do with how and when the day is celebrated. For the longest time, I still remember this as a kid, Memorial Day was observed on May 30th. Then, in 1971, the Federal Government passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. That moved some fixed date holidays, such as Memorial Day, to the nearest Monday.

The idea behind the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was to give workers a three-day weekend. Therefore, Memorial Day was moved to the "last Monday in May". This will be this upcoming Monday, May 25th, for the year 2026.

What Will Happen This Memorial Day That Won't Happen Again Until 2037?

What makes Monday's observance of Memorial Day unique is the fact that it is the earliest we can officially observe the holiday. By the way, the latest we can observe Memorial Day is May 31. Incidentally, for those who like to plan, that's when Memorial Day will occur next year.

The next time Memorial Day lands on May 25th will be in 2037. Let us hope and pray that all of our members of the armed services are still alive and well and proudly serving a grateful nation when that day rolls around again.