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Memorial Day countdown illustration

Memorial Day Countdown

The unofficial start of summer and the 3-day weekend everyone plans around.

How many days until Memorial Day?

Live countdown to Memorial Day 2027

Monday · May 31, 2027
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🎉 Happy Memorial Day 2027!
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About Memorial Day

Memorial Day is the US federal holiday honoring fallen service members, held on the last Monday of May. Culturally it doubles as the unofficial start of summer: barbecues, lake trips, and the year’s biggest mattress sales.

Memorial Day at a glance infographic: Last Mon — Last Monday of May (US); 1868 — First national Decoration Day; 3 pm — National Moment of Remembrance; 1911 — First Indy 500 this weekend
Memorial Day in numbers — dates, records and traditions at a glance.

The story behind Memorial Day

Memorial Day grew out of the bloodiest chapter of American history. After the Civil War claimed some 620,000 lives, grieving towns began decorating soldiers' graves each spring — one of the earliest documented observances was in Columbus, Mississippi, in 1866, when flowers were laid on both Union and Confederate graves alike.

General John Logan officially proclaimed Decoration Day for May 30, 1868. The date was picked with a flower in mind: no major battle anniversary, and spring blooms in every state. With time, "Decoration Day" became "Memorial Day," and the holiday expanded to honor all fallen service members.

The traditions are precise: the flag flies at half-staff until noon, then rises to full height; a national moment of remembrance pauses the country at 3 p.m.; and the 3rd Infantry Division still places small flags on every one of the 284,000 gravestones at Arlington — a job that takes their soldiers the Thursday before, walking every row.

Memorial Day history timeline infographic: 1866: A Mississippi town decorates graves of both sides; 1868: General Logan proclaims Decoration Day, May 30; 1971: Fixed to the last Monday of May; Today: Small flags on all 284,000 graves at Arlington
Four moments that shaped Memorial Day.

Memorial Day dates 2027–2030

YearWeekdayDate
2027MondayMay 31, 2027
2028MondayMay 29, 2028
2029MondayMay 28, 2029
2030MondayMay 27, 2030

Memorial Day facts

When is Memorial Day 2027?

Memorial Day 2027 falls on Monday, May 31, 2027.

How many days until Memorial Day 2027?

The live countdown above shows the exact time remaining, ticking in your local timezone. The table on this page lists exact dates through 2030.

Is the countdown accurate?

Yes — the clock runs in your browser against your device's clock and timezone, updating every second.

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