Memorial Day May 26, 2025

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:

May 27, 2019Reflections on Memorial Day
Aug 21, 2022International Lighthouse Weekend
Jul 9, 2021A center of antiquity on the Mediterranean
Feb 17, 2018Infant Sumatran orangutan, Indonesia
Jan 4, 2020Celebrating whales—and a whale of a tale
Jun 2, 2020Falling for the Canadian Rockies
Jun 19, 2025Happy Juneteenth!
Oct 14, 2023Ring of fire solar eclipse
Mar 14, 2021Perfect timing
Mar 28, 2024Cherry blossoms in Shanghai, China
Dec 25, 2024Merry Christmas!
Apr 9, 2018The Lena Delta Wildlife Reserve in Siberia, Russia
Nov 24, 2022Happy Thanksgiving!
Apr 30, 2025International Jazz Day
Sep 23, 2021Last stop before leaving the solar system
Sep 1, 2024Totally Thames Festival, London
Nov 19, 2024Tasmans Arch, Tasmania, Australia
Oct 27, 2020A bridge of Madison County
May 10, 2019Looking back on 150 years of rail travel
Oct 21, 2018Welcome to El Cervantino
May 15, 2019Basking in the glow
Oct 16, 2025A Eurasian lynx in Siberia
Jul 25, 2019Jane’s Carousel delights
May 27, 2022Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Jan 22, 2018Bird’s-eye view of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California
Jul 21, 2021An octagonal architectural treasure
Feb 23, 2020An icy extravaganza
Jan 26, 2023Heavens Gate Cave, Tianmen Mountain National Park, China
Oct 26, 2024Gespensterwald, Nienhagen, Germany
Apr 25, 2019Here comes summer