The traditional Memorial Day is Thursday, May 30. Most calendars list the Monday holiday as "Memorial Day (observed)". Yes, nearly everyone has the day off on Monday; banks and government offices are closed, mail is not delivered, most corporate businesses shut down for the day. Store clerks, however, are still on duty since there are many "holiday sales".

During the time that Mary in Kentucky speaks of, there was a push to include the US's Indepence Day in that Monday-holiday-so-we-can-have-a-long-weekend movement. Thankfully, too many people objected to the idea because Independence Day refers to a specific date in history rather than a day of observance picked by the government, so the idea was dropped. Good thing, too; I wouldn't have liked to celebrate "The 4th of July" on the 1st or 2nd or 3rd, etc.

For my part, I plan to walk or bike down the highway to watch the parade in the small town nearby, and stop at the old cemetery at the other end of town to visit the grave of my great-great-uncle the wounded Civil War vet. Thanks for the reminder, Banjer, to give a thought to the meaning of the holiday. May we remember more than once a year!