Summary
On the last Monday of May, people across the United States join together to remember the military personnel who died serving their country. Memorial Day is a national holiday that traces its roots back to the Civil War. From decorating graves to attending parades, the traditions to honor the fallen troops have evolved with every conflict. The holiday as we know it today emerged during World War I, when the country united to mourn a common loss. World War II strengthened that shared purpose, and Memorial Day was established as a federal holiday during the Vietnam War. It's a day to pay your respects to the men and women who sacrificed their lives to protect your freedoms. It's also a day to celebrate living veterans, as well as the soldiers who continue to serve! So, however you choose to celebrate the long weekend, take some time to reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day.
Viewer safety
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
A few questions to talk through after watching Memorial Day:
- What is one new thing you learned about memorial day?
- Can you explain it to a partner in your own words?
- Where might you see this in the real world?
- What is one question you still have?
Quick work-a-long
Try it:
- Write one sentence explaining memorial day.
- Draw or give one example of your own.