A traditional Memorial Day celebration is a mix of somber remembrance, family togetherness & fun
Traditionally, Memorial Day was — and continues to be — recognized with everything from quiet graveside visits to community parades, speeches and fireworks displays, as well as holiday picnics or BBQs.
Beginning-of-summer vibes
Since Memorial Day always falls on the last Monday of May in the US, it’s a three-day weekend for many people and has also come to represent the first unofficial day of the summer season, when families and friends get together for pool parties, cookouts and lawn games.
We’ve gathered up some Memorial Day Americana — including histories of the holiday and those who have served, as well as vintage greeting cards and a super-traditional summer cookout menu — to help you plan the perfect Memorial Day celebration!
Did you know that there's a love story behind the first Memorial Day?
When the flowers are reverently placed on the graves on Memorial Day, there will be many indebted to General John Alexander Logan. Here’s why.
20 vintage Memorial Day postcards
Here are more 20 colorfully-illustrated vintage Memorial day postcards for the national American holiday originally known as Decoration Day. These patriotic antique cards are all from the early 1900s.
20 African American soldiers from the Civil War: Fighting for the Union
‘Let us always be willing to give them whatever credit is their due.’ 186,000 men of African descent fought for the Union in the Civil War. Here are some antique portraits showing just a few of these soldiers.
The real Gettysburg Address: Photos, analysis & full text of Abraham Lincolns famous speech (1863)
See what it looked like during President Lincoln’s historic Gettysburg Address speech, plus eyewitness accounts, analysis, full text & and a handwritten copy of the speech.
Perfect Memorial Day picnic ideas from the 70s
We’ve gathered recipes, tips and more great picnic ideas from the 70s so you can have a summery Memorial Day celebration, retro-style!
14 retro hamburger recipes for a differently delicious Memorial Day cookout
Why should hamburgers be limited only to the common, everyday variety? Why not dress them up? Here are 14 retro hamburger recipes you might want to try.
Zesty baked beans & barbecue beans recipes from 1955
Just 30 minutes in a hot oven, and the bubbling goodness and tantalizing aroma of this zesty baked beans recipe will speed the family to the table on the double!
22 divinely delicious classic deviled egg recipes
The deviled egg is a true American innovation, and it is perfect for your Memorial Day cookout or picnic celebration. Here are 22 different old-fashioned and divinely delicious deviled egg recipes for you to try!
Classic green pea salad recipe (1970)
Serve this fresh and seasonal vintage green pea salad recipe at your Memorial Day BBQ!
Flag cakes with strawberries & blueberries: The classic no-bake recipe from the 90s
Red, white and blue flag cakes are always fun to have for patriotic holidays, and this stars and stripes dessert – covered with bright berries – has one of the simplest recipes around!
Celebrate the USA with these red white and blue stars & stripes desserts (1955 & 1972)
This star-shaped dessert seems so very American. It starts with red Jello, and has a white layer with marshmallows, then is topped with blueberries — a fruit that is native to North America.
All-American Jell-O flag & patriotic parfaits (1999)
Here’s how to make a spectacular red, white and blue Jello dessert – the perfect retro treat for Memorial day!
Firecracker & fireworks coloring pages: Celebrate with free printables!
Print one or more of these printable fireworks coloring pages out, have some fun, and let the colors of fireworks and firecrackers light up your Memorial Day!
