Memorial Day May 26, 2025

Memorial Day

Today we"re honoring Americans who gave their lives in military service. Originally known as Decoration Day, the tradition began in the late 1860s after the American Civil War. Communities held springtime tributes by decorating the graves of fallen Union soldiers with flowers. Over time, it expanded to commemorate all US military personnel who died in wars. Locals observe the day with ceremonies and parades across the country.

© Dennis Govoni/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

May 26, 2018Honoring the first American woman in space
May 26, 2019Racing toward history
May 26, 2020It s tree-climbing season
May 26, 2021Behold the blood moon
May 26, 2022Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in Costa Rica
May 26, 2023Wat Sri Sawai in Sukhothai Historical Park, Thailand
May 26, 2024Methow Valley, North Cascades, Washington

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Oct 16, 2020It s harvest time on World Food Day
Mar 11, 2025Broken Beach in Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
Jun 20, 2020 Beyond Walls for World Refugee Day
Apr 12, 2019A story of wind and ice
Apr 14, 2023Mediterranean red sea stars
Nov 12, 2025Colosseum, Rome, Italy
Jan 31, 2020Dance of the egret
Jun 6, 2020The long and wiggling path
May 16, 2022Burrowing owls
May 9, 2019An endless journey
Mar 3, 2019Fin whales: A success story
Jan 10, 2019‘You should see the one that got away!’
Nov 16, 2018Ancient art in the Amazon
Jan 9, 2018Great Fountain Geyser, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Jan 1, 2023New Year s Day
Jun 23, 2022Stari Most in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Dec 31, 2020Goodbye, 2020!
May 19, 2022Glass footbridge in Zhangjiajie, China
Oct 12, 2019It s aboat time for the Barcolana
Nov 27, 2020Green is the new black
Jul 30, 2022Milford Sound/Piopiotahi rainforest in New Zealand
Aug 13, 2019An ice cap-puccino
Dec 16, 2024Salzburg, Austria
Mar 31, 2018Cherry blossoms at the National Mall, Washington, DC
Apr 27, 2019Aloe in bloom
Dec 3, 2019It’s Giving Tuesday
Sep 9, 2022Belize Barrier Reef
Feb 9, 2021What s going on in this sky?
Feb 26, 2024Grand Canyon National Park turns 105
Oct 25, 2023Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah