Today, May 26, 2014, is Memorial Day. It is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the men and women who died while serving in the country's armed forces. The holiday is celebrated every year on the final Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the war. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service.
