When is Memorial Day 2024? What to know about federal holiday, what’s open in Florida
We are less than a week away from the beginning of May, which means Memorial Day is just around the corner.
With origins dating back to the 1800s, the holiday seeks to commemorate those who died while serving in the U.S. military. The holiday has also been touted as the "unofficial start of summer" over the years.
Here's when Memorial Day falls this year and what is open on the holiday.
What holidays are in May?
There are two major holidays in May: Mother's Day and Memorial Day. Many people in the U.S. also celebrate Cinco de Mayo on May 5.
When is Memorial Day 2024? When is Memorial Day weekend 2024?
Memorial Day is always celebrated on the last Monday of May, with this year's being on Monday, May 27. Memorial Day weekend starts on Friday, May 24, and lasts through the holiday until Monday.
Why is Memorial Day observed?
While Memorial Day's origins are unclear, USA TODAY reported observances to honor service people began after the Civil War, which ended in 1865. It was first referred to as Decoration Day.
According to usmemorialday.org, the first observed celebration for the holiday occurred on May 30, 1868, due to Gen. John A. Logan, the leader of the Grand Army of the Republic for Northern Civil War veterans. Logan would then sent out an official order designating May 30 as a day of remembrance for those who died serving in the Civil War.
Up until World War I, northern and southern states celebrated different states to honor their fallen soldiers. Following WWI, the holiday's focus shifted to honor American soldiers who died in any war, not only the Civil War, the History Channel reports.
In 1968 when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act – to give federal employees more three-day weekends throughout the year – Memorial Day moved to the last Monday in May. It was also declared a federal holiday in 1971.
Is Memorial Day a federal holiday?
Yes, it is one of 11 federal holidays in the U.S. Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1971.
Is Publix open on Memorial Day? Here what's open, closed in Florida on Memorial Day
With Memorial Day being a federal holiday, all banks, schools and nonessential government offices will be closed for the holiday weekend. However, most restaurants, grocery stores and convenience stores will be open. So if you need to grab groceries at Publix or get prescriptions filled at Walgreens, you're in the clear!
However, the following stores are closed on Memorial Day:
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Memorial Day 2024: See when it was founded, if stores are closed
