Parade participants march in Washington to commemorate Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, coinciding with the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Memorial Day in the U.S. — originally called Decoration Day — began shortly after the Civil War to honor fallen service members. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
A veteran pays respects at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Monday, May 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)An American flag at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Monday, May 25, 2026, on Memorial Day in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)Individuals carry commemorative wreaths to place at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)An American flag at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Monday, May 25, 2026, on Memorial Day in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)Band members march during a parade in Washington to commemorate the Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, coinciding with the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)President Donald Trump, from left, alongside Vice President JD Vance, obstructed, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, stand before placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)Parade participants march near the National Mall along Constitution Avenue in Washington to commemorate Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, coinciding with the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)Michael Harper plays “Taps” on the bugle at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)Military dog tags are pictured at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)Parade participants march and perform near the National Mall along Constitution Avenue in Washington to commemorate the Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, coinciding with the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)A young local visitor and her father are pictured at Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)Participants dressed in civil war Union Army uniforms march during a parade in Washington to commemorate Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, coinciding with the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)Military hardware is paraded in Washington to commemorate the Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, coinciding with the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)A white rose is placed at the feet of a statue at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)Individuals walk past the Washington Monument on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)World War II veterans riding in a vintage car, salute during a parade near the National Archives along Constitution Avenue in Washington to commemorate the Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, coinciding with the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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