Memorial Day is more than a long weekend. A look at what the holiday commemorates, how it is observed across the country, and how an American-made brand thinks about the values it represents.

Honoring Memorial Day | Remembrance, Reflection, and What the Day Actually Means

Memorial Day falls on the last Monday of May, and for many Americans it marks the unofficial start of summer. Cookouts, long weekends, travel. That is a legitimate way to spend it. But the holiday has a specific and serious meaning that is worth holding onto alongside the rest of it.

Memorial Day is the national day of remembrance for the men and women who lost their lives in service in the United States Armed Forces. It is different from Veterans Day, which recognizes all who served. Memorial Day is specifically about those who did not return home, and that difference matters.

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Reflect, Remember and Choose Care Made With Integrity

In honor of Memorial Day, we’re reflecting with gratitude on the courage, service and sacrifice of those who gave everything. As a proudly American-made skincare brand, we’re also thanking our community with 15% off plus a free sunblock sample with code MEMORIAL15, valid through 5/24. Bundles and kits are not included, and orders $99+ ship free. Missed the weekend offer? For one day only, use MDS15 for $15 off orders of $100+ or MDS30 for $30 off orders of $150+.

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This section covers the history of Memorial Day, from its origins after the Civil War to its establishment as a federal holiday. Understanding where a holiday comes from changes how you observe it.

Where Memorial Day Comes From

The holiday grew out of post Civil War mourning traditions, when communities gathered to honor fallen soldiers by decorating their graves. The holiday was originally called Decoration Day. In 1868, General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic helped formalize the observance by naming May 30 as the day of remembrance.

After World War I, the observance expanded to honor Americans who had died in all wars, not only the Civil War. Congress declared Memorial Day a federal holiday in 1971 and moved it to the last Monday in May as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs history of Memorial Day.

One tradition worth knowing: the National Moment of Remembrance, established by Congress in 2000, asks Americans to pause for one minute of silence at 3:00 PM local time on Memorial Day. It is a small and meaningful way to mark the day wherever you are. The National Cemetery Administration's Memorial Day history overview is a helpful reference.

How Americans Observe the Day

One of the nation’s most recognized Memorial Day observances is held at Arlington National Cemetery, where a wreath is placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on behalf of the country. Similar ceremonies happen at national cemeteries and local memorials across the country.

Across the country, communities mark the day through local parades, cemetery gatherings, remembrance services, and flag observances. The American flag is flown at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day, then it’s raised to full staff for the remainder of the day, a tradition that reflects mourning in the morning and a celebration of the nation in the afternoon. The American Legion explains the Memorial Day flag tradition here.

If you want to find a local ceremony or memorial event near you, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts often help organize public observances.

What the Day Means to Us

At Nonie of Beverly Hills, Memorial Day feels personally resonant. We are an American-made brand. Our products are formulated and produced here, with ingredients and a standard of care we stand behind. That is not a marketing line. It is a choice we make deliberately, because we believe in the integrity of what gets built on American soil, by American hands, with American accountability.

The values Memorial Day asks us to reflect on are not abstract to us: dedication, courage, service, and community. They show up in how we formulate, how we source, and how we communicate with the people who use our products. We are not in the business of shortcuts.

If you want to see how those values show up in the brand, learn more about who we are and see how our laboratory develops products. If ethical sourcing and transparency matter to you, read our Green Commitment and explore our ingredient standards to see how we think about what goes into every product.

This section offers practical ways to honor Memorial Day meaningfully, including the National Moment of Remembrance, local ceremonies, and supporting veterans organizations. You can enjoy the long weekend and still take a moment to remember why it exists.

How to Make the Weekend Meaningful

Honoring the day does not require skipping the cookout. It just requires holding both things at once, the celebration and the remembrance. A few ways to do that:

  • Observe the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 PM local time. One minute of silence is a genuinely simple and meaningful act.
  • Visit a local memorial or cemetery. Many communities have public ceremonies that welcome anyone who wants to attend.
  • Share the history with younger family members. The distinction between Memorial Day and Veterans Day is worth passing on. So is the story of Decoration Day and how the holiday began.
  • Support a veterans organization. Donating to or volunteering with organizations that serve veterans and military families is a concrete way to honor the spirit of the day. Well-established options include the USO, Wounded Warrior Project, and American Legion.

From our team to yours, we wish you a Memorial Day that is both restful and meaningful. Take the minute. Remember who made the weekend possible.

Sources & Additional Reading

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