Memorial Day is seen as the unofficial start of summer and a long weekend for many, but the day is about more than cookouts, sales, and patriotic parades.

Why it matters: The federal holiday commemorates military personnel who lost their lives defending the country.

When is Memorial Day 2024?

Memorial Day is observed each year on the last Monday of May, which is May 27 this year.

• The holiday used to be commemorated each year on May 30 until 1971.

Memorial Day history

Flashback: Memorial Day was originally called "Decoration Day" and was recognized as early as the 1860s after the Civil War.

• The history of Memorial Day is the subject of a longstanding academic debate, with dozens of cities and towns claiming to be the holiday's birthplace, Axios' Jennifer A. Kingson reports.
• The focus of the holiday shifted after World War I to honor American soldiers who died in any war, not only the Civil War, according to History.com.

Memorial Day vs. Veterans Day

Zoom in: Veterans Day honors all who have served in the U.S. military and is considered a celebration of all veterans, living and dead.

• Memorial Day recognizes fallen military who died in service.

Don't say "Happy Memorial Day"

Reality check: Since Memorial Day is a solemn day to remember the fallen, the Wounded Warrior Project advises people to say: "Have a meaningful Memorial Day" instead of "Happy Memorial Day."

• The group said it's "not appropriate to thank a service member for their service on this day, as it is a day for remembering and honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice."

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ATL Dessert Festival at Grant Park on May 25: From 11-5 with free admission, enjoy Atlanta's largest dessert festival. This festival is packed with music, games, raffles, food trucks, beverage vendors, and a kids zone.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected] for 50% off your first event feature!

From the Braves to André 3000's flute show, metro Atlanta has fun events this weekend. But we also have ceremonies for the military members who lost their lives.

🎖️ Attend the solemn Memorial Day ceremony at Marietta National Cemetery featuring flag presentations, a gun salute and more. (Monday)

• Memorial Day ceremonies will also occur on Monday in Smyrna, Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Roswell, Norcross, Woodstock, Dacula, Hapeville, Milton, and Peachtree Corners.
• Acworth and Snellville will host their ceremonies on Saturday.

🎪 Get awestruck under the big top at the UniverSoul Circus. (Thursday-Sunday)

🪕 Head to Suwanee for the annual Red, White, Bluegrass & Bach concert. (Friday)

🦹‍♀️ Embrace anime, gaming, and more in pop culture at the Georgia World Congress Center during the annual MomoCon. (Friday-Monday)

🦚 Check out the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival, which begins with Friday's body paint party. (Saturday)

🪓 Take part in games, ax throwing, dancing, music and more at the free Bloomin' Fest. (Saturday)

🎷 Visit Piedmont Park for the 47th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival. (Saturday-Monday)

🎆 Stone Mountain Park will salute the troops with a fireworks show and live performances. Military members get free admission with a valid ID. (Friday-Monday)

🦒 Enjoy an evening at Zoo Atlanta's Brew at the Zoo offers beer and wine samples, live music, yard games, and more amid views of their animals. (Saturday)

🌆 Attend a rooftop party inspired by Memorial Day at Virtue Rooftop Lounge. (Sunday)

🎶 Listen to the Alpharetta Symphony perform a free Memorial Day concert packed with a band playing patriotic tunes. (Monday)

⚾ Cheer on the Atlanta Braves as they begin a four-game series against the Washington Nationals at Truist Park. (Monday-Thursday)

See our full guide to what else is happening this weekend

On Monday, offices, schools, and some businesses will be closed to honor Memorial Day.

Stock market, banks, closed Memorial Day, no mail

The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are closed on the holiday and will next be closed on Juneteenth, which is on June 19.

• Most of the nation's banks are closed Monday and follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule.
• The U.S. Postal Service and all post offices are closed with no deliveries on Monday except for Priority Mail Express.
• Most UPS and FedEx services are not available on Memorial Day.

Costco, too

State of play: Most stores and restaurants are open for the holiday and will hold sales over the weekend.

• Costco Wholesale clubs are closed for the federal holiday, as they are for New Year's Day, Easter, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
• Competitor wholesale clubs Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale Club are open, as are Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe's, and other national chains.
• Some businesses will have special holiday hours.

Schools, government offices, closed for Memorial Day

Many schools close for the holiday, but it varies by county and state so check school calendars.

• Nonessential government offices and federal courts also are closed.

See also: Memorial Day travel projected to be among busiest in two decades

🧱 Former Gov. Roy Barnes is settling a zoning lawsuit with Cobb County as he and a developer aspire to build 114 homes on his farmland. (AJC)

Atlanta police body cam footage of the Emory University encampment arrests shows officers pushing protesters to the ground and restraining them. (WSB)

🏗️ An Atlanta lawmaker thinks the redevelopment of the old Civic Center site should have way more than the planned 1,500 housing units. (Atlanta Civic Circle)

🙌 Businesses rejoice! Atlanta reopened Cheshire Bridge Road. The important street closed for repairs after a fire damaged a bridge. (Atlanta News First)