I plan on hitting up some local car shows and going on a nice long bike trip since this will be the first properly warm weekend of this year. Lots of grilled animal parts will be consumed as well.
Oh snap! I just realized the Indy 500 is Sunday. Hopefully they'll get to race without the traditional rain delay. The Indy 500 and Monaco Grand Prix in the same day. Awesome!
^ Isn't it rather obvious? It commemorates the achievements of the members of the US armed forces. It's pretty much like Remembrance Day for us Commonwealth people.
I was supposed to come down to California and Texas for a family reunion but I can't go, so I will be spending your Memorial weekend at home by myself, depressed.
It's not really about the achievements of the military. The day is to remember and honor who have died in military service.
"Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials.......In addition to national observances, many individual communities hold memorial observance for fallen soldiers who were from that town by having a ceremony in a church or town memorial park. It is also common for fire and police departments to remember and honor members lost in the line of duty. Towns often hold a memorial day parade to remember those people. Participation in such a parade is by community organizations such as members of the local emergency services and their vehicles, Rotary Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and bands from the local high school or church groups. Communities may also hold a town-wide picnic barbecue at a local park in which the whole town is invited to attend.
In addition to remembrance, Memorial Day is also a time for picnics, barbecues, family gatherings, and sporting events. One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911. Some Americans also view Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer and Labor Day as the unofficial end of the season."
I really don't know why it's on that specific date. I do know that it started after the Civil War to remember the fallen Union soldiers.
EDIT:
Ahh, here you go, learned some stuff too
"On June 28, 1968, the United States Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend and for the first time recognized Columbus Day as a federal holiday. The holidays included Washington's Birthday (which evolved into Presidents' Day), Veterans Day, and Memorial Day. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971 . After some initial confusion and unwillingness to comply at the state level, all fifty states adopted the measure within a few years, although Veterans Day was eventually changed back to its traditional date. Ironically, most corporate businesses no longer close on Columbus Day or Veterans Day, and an increasing number are staying open on President's Day as well. Memorial Day, however, has endured as one holiday during which most businesses stay closed because it marks the beginning of the "summer vacation season," as does neighboring Canada's Victoria Day, which occurs on the prior Monday."
^ Isn't it rather obvious? It commemorates the achievements of the members of the US armed forces. It's pretty much like Remembrance Day for us Commonwealth people.