Memorial Day Countdown 2027

Memorial Day 2027 falls on the last Monday of May, shown above with its exact date. This countdown runs to midnight in your own time zone.

Who it honors. Memorial Day remembers the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces. It is distinct from Veterans Day in November, which honors everyone who has served.

From Decoration Day. After the Civil War, communities decorated soldiers' graves with flowers. In 1868 General John A. Logan called for a national Decoration Day on May 30. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved it to the last Monday of May from 1971, creating the three-day weekend.

3 p.m., one minute. Since 2000, Americans are asked to pause for a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time. Flags fly at half-staff until noon, then are raised to full staff.

The start of summer. The long weekend is also the unofficial kickoff of summer: barbecues, the first beach trips, and the Indianapolis 500 on the Sunday.

Put the countdown on screen for the long weekend, or create your own for your trip or your family barbecue.