Memorial Day May 26, 2025

Memorial Day

Today we"re honoring Americans who gave their lives in military service. Originally known as Decoration Day, the tradition began in the late 1860s after the American Civil War. Communities held springtime tributes by decorating the graves of fallen Union soldiers with flowers. Over time, it expanded to commemorate all US military personnel who died in wars. Locals observe the day with ceremonies and parades across the country.

© Dennis Govoni/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

May 26, 2018Honoring the first American woman in space
May 26, 2019Racing toward history
May 26, 2020It s tree-climbing season
May 26, 2021Behold the blood moon
May 26, 2022Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in Costa Rica
May 26, 2023Wat Sri Sawai in Sukhothai Historical Park, Thailand
May 26, 2024Methow Valley, North Cascades, Washington

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Dec 14, 2024Christmas Bird Count turns 125
Sep 1, 2018Let the Highland games begin
Aug 31, 2022Blue linckia sea stars in Papua New Guinea
Oct 17, 2023Spreadsheet Day
Aug 5, 2021A swim in the sky
May 28, 2025World Otter Day
Mar 5, 2020The desert blooms
Nov 24, 2019Autumn in the cypress swamp
Nov 23, 2023Happy Thanksgiving!
Jan 4, 2021Sparkling ice diamonds on a black sandy beach
Jun 16, 2021Put your flippers in the air…
Jan 30, 2020The Pearl of Siberia
Apr 6, 2020Castle on a hill
Nov 13, 2021Ronda, Spain
Mar 23, 2021Uncommon clouds are gathering
Jan 15, 2026The fishing village of Reine, Norway
Sep 7, 2020Take a break! It s Labor Day!
Nov 12, 2024Arches National Park anniversary
Apr 18, 2018A crested partridge
Jul 27, 2023Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and the Louvre Pyramid
Dec 2, 2021Denali National Park
Sep 12, 2024World Dolphin Day
May 8, 2019’Chess on ice’
Aug 10, 2022Joshua Tree National Park
Jul 1, 2022Tour de France
Jan 23, 2024Atolls in the Maldives
Feb 8, 2020Lanterns alight in Pingxi
Jan 25, 2020Happy New Year! (Again!)
Mar 3, 2025World Wildlife Day
Jan 6, 2019A winter wonderland in Northeast China