Why does Memorial Day sometimes fall on May 31st?

Answer 1

On May 5, 1868 General John Logan, national commander of the Great Army of the Republic, officially proclaimed Decoration Day. It was first observed on May 30, 1868 when the graves of soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery who had died during the US Civil War were decorated with flowers. That date was chosen because during the Civil War there were no known battles to have been fought on that particular day in the month of May. In 1967 Decoration Day was officially renamed as Memorial Day. In 1971 Memorial Day became a Monday holiday on the last Monday of May.

Answer 2

Prior to 1967 Memorial Day was officially known as Decoration Day. From 1868 to 1970 it was observed on May 30th no matter what day of the week it was. May 30th was chosen as the day to remember those who had died during the US Civil War because there had been no known battle during the Civil War to have been fought on that date in the month of May. On January 1, 1971 the Uniform Monday Holiday Act (that had been signed by President Lyndon Bains Johnson) went into effect. Memorial Day then became the last Monday of May to give federal employees one of their three-day holidays.

Answer 3

Prior to 1967 Memorial Day was officially known as Decoration Day. From 1868 to 1970 (103 years) it was observed on May 30th no matter what day of the week it was. On January 1, 1971 the Uniform Monday Holiday Act (that had been signed by President Lyndon Baines Johnson in 1968) went into effect. Memorial Day then became the last Monday in May to give federal employees one of their three-day weekend holidays. So now the day number changes every year. The last time Memorial Day was on May 31st was in the year 2010 and the next time it falls on that date is in the year 2021.

Answer 4

May 30th was chosen for Memorial Day (originally called Decoration Day) because during the US Civil War there were no known battles to have taken place on that particular day of the month. Since 1971 Memorial Day has been on the last Monday of May so the date number is different each year.

Answer 5

May 31 is not necessarily Memorial Day. Memorial Day (originally called Decoration Day) was first observed on May 30, 1868. It continued to be observed on May 30 of every year until 1971 when the Uniform Monday Holiday Act took effect and it was moved to the last Monday in May, irregardless of what date that is. So it is now possible for Memorial Day to actually be on a May 31. The last time that occurred was in 2010 and the next time Memorial Day will be on May 31 is in the year 2021.