As wildflowers burst into bloom and the temperatures warm up, U.S. Americans prepare to celebrate an important holiday in U.S. culture, Memorial Day. While many look forward to this holiday as it represents the start of summer and a three-day weekend, do you know the true meaning, culture, and history of Memorial Day? Find out with these ten quiz questions!
____ 1. The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated on Memorial Day in 1922.
____ 2. Memorial Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May.
____ 3. In 2000, President William J. Clinton issued a Memorandum on the White House Program encouraging all U.S. American to observe a National Moment of Remembrance on each Memorial Day, by pausing at 3 p.m. local time to solemnly remember those who have fallen.
____ 4. The South only began to honor fallen soldiers on Memorial Day after World War I, when the holiday came to recognize all U.S. Americans who died in any war.
____ 5. Red roses are recognized as the Memorial Day flower.
____ 6. Vermont was the first state to officially recognize Memorial Day.
____ 7. Two of the biggest car races of the year, the NASCAR Coca Cola 600 race in Charlotte, North Carolina and the The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race in Indiana, are held on Memorial Day weekend.
____ 8. Memorial Day was officially declared a federal holiday in 1971.
____ 9. On Memorial Day, proper flag protocol is to fly the flag at half-mast from dawn until the Moment of Remembrance.
____ 10. Memorial Day originated as a way to honor soldiers who died during the American Revolution.
Once you determine which statements are true, share these fun Memorial Day facts with friends and family, and enjoy the holiday while remembering why we celebrate. Whether you’re outdoors in the sunshine, or enjoying the shade with loved ones, let us all join in remembrance and gratitude for those who gave their lives for our freedom. From our team to you and yours, happy Memorial Day!
Sharon Schweitzer and Amanda Alden co-wrote this post. Sharon Schweitzer, J.D., is a cross-cultural trainer, modern manners expert, and the founder of Access to Culture. In addition to her accreditation in intercultural management from the HOFSTEDE centre, she serves as a Chinese Ceremonial Dining Etiquette Specialist in the documentary series Confucius was a Foodie, on Nat Geo People. She is the resident etiquette expert on two popular lifestyle shows: ABC Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend and CBS Austin’s We Are Austin. She is regularly quoted by BBC Capital, Investor’s Business Daily, Fortune, and the National Business Journals. Her Amazon #1 Best Selling book in International Business, Access to Asia: Your Multicultural Business Guide, now in its third printing, was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2015. She’s a winner of the British Airways International Trade Award at the 2016 Greater Austin Business Awards and the 2017 New York City Big Book Award for Multicultural Nonfiction.
Amanda Alden is an intercultural research assistant with Access to Culture. She graduated with honors from St. Edward’s University with a major in Global Studies and a minor in French, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Intercultural Mediations at l’Université de Lille III. Feel free to connect with Amanda at on LinkedIn.
Photo: Pxhere
1.) T., 2.) F- Memorial Day is on the fourth Sunday in May. 3.) T, 4.) T, 5.) F- Red poppies are the symbolic flower of Memorial Day. 6.) F- New York was the first state to officially recognize the holiday. 7.) T, 8.) T, 9.) F- Flag protocol is to fly the flag at half-mast from dawn until sunset. 10.) F- Union and Confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War.
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