Introduction
As the last Monday in May approaches, our hearts and minds turn towards Memorial Day - a day to remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. While it’s a time for reflection and gratitude, it's also an opportunity to learn more about the rich history and traditions surrounding this significant day.
This Memorial Day, we invite you to dive deeper into the customs, history, and fascinating facts that have shaped this important holiday. We've compiled a comprehensive list of 100 trivia questions and answers to test your knowledge and pique your curiosity.
Whether you're a history buff, a trivia enthusiast, or just want to learn something new about this revered holiday, we hope you'll enjoy this journey through the lesser-known facts and interesting aspects of Memorial Day. From the traditions of the day to the historical events that have shaped its observance, there's something here for everyone. So, let's dive in and explore these 100 intriguing trivia questions and answers about Memorial Day.
Memorial Day Trivia
1. Q: When is Memorial Day celebrated each year?
A: The last Monday in May.
2. Q: Which U.S. holiday was Memorial Day originally known as?
A: Decoration Day.
3. Q: What does Memorial Day commemorate?
A: It honors the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military.
4. Q: In which war did Memorial Day originate?
A: The Civil War.
5. Q: Who was the President when Memorial Day became a national holiday?
A: Richard Nixon.
6. Q: What is the National Moment of Remembrance?
A: It is a moment of silence observed at 3:00 PM local time on Memorial Day.
7. Q: What is typically done during the National Moment of Remembrance?
A: People are encouraged to pause for a moment of silence or listen to Taps.
8. Q: What flower is traditionally associated with Memorial Day?
A: The red poppy.
9. Q: Why is the red poppy associated with Memorial Day?
A: The red poppy became a symbol of remembrance after World War I, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields."
10. Q: What is the name of the poem that inspired the red poppy tradition?
A: "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae.
11. Q: What year was Memorial Day first widely observed?
A: 1868.
12. Q: What is traditionally played at military funerals and Memorial Day ceremonies?
A: The bugle call "Taps."
13. Q: How is the American flag flown on Memorial Day?
A: It is flown at half-staff until noon, then raised to full-staff until sunset.
14. Q: What city claims to be the birthplace of Memorial Day?
A: Waterloo, New York.
15. Q: Which act made Memorial Day a federal holiday?
A: The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968.
16. Q: What is the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?
A: Memorial Day honors military personnel who died in service, while Veterans Day celebrates all U.S. military veterans.
17. Q: What major sporting event traditionally takes place on Memorial Day weekend?
A: The Indianapolis 500 car race.
18. Q: What is the typical attire or color worn on Memorial Day?
A: White, as it unofficially marks the start of summer.
19. Q: What is the name of the organization that sells red poppies to raise funds for veterans?
A: The American Legion Auxiliary.
20. Q: What is "Rolling Thunder" in relation to Memorial Day?
A: It's a motorcycle rally held in Washington D.C. to bring attention to POWs and MIAs.
21. Q: What was the original date of Decoration Day?
A: May 30.
22. Q: Who proclaimed the first official observance of Decoration Day?
A: General John A. Logan.
23. Q: Which American composer wrote a march popularly played on Memorial Day?
A: John Philip Sousa, who composed "Stars and Stripes Forever."
24. Q: What does MIA stand for in a military context?
A: Missing In Action.
25. Q: What does POW stand for in a military context?
A: Prisoner Of War.
26. Q: Which U.S. President laid the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns on Memorial Day for the first time?
A: President Ronald Reagan.
27. Q: What year did Memorial Day become a federal holiday?
A: 1971.
28. Q: In what year did Congress pass a resolution asking that all Americans voluntarily observe a National Moment of Remembrance?
A: In 2000.
29. Q: What is the common name of the American flag?
A: The Stars and Stripes.
30. Q: Which war accounted for the most American casualties, leading to a significant increase in observance of Memorial Day?
A: World War II.
31. Q: What is the official flower used to decorate graves on Memorial Day?
A: The red poppy.
32. Q: Which President signed the law designating the last Monday in May as Memorial Day?
A: President Lyndon B. Johnson.
33. Q: Which war ended just days before the first widely observed Decoration Day?
A: The Civil War.
34. Q: What poem is often associated with Memorial Day and recited at ceremonies?
A: "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae.
35. Q: How many national cemeteries are there in the United States?
A: As of my knowledge cutoff in 2021, there were 155 national cemeteries.
36. Q: Who is honored at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery?
A: Unknown soldiers from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.
37. Q: Who was the last World War I veteran to pass away?
A: Florence Green, a British woman who served in the Allied forces, was the last known surviving service member of WWI, passing away in 2012.
38. Q: What is the name of the ceremony performed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
A: The Changing of the Guard.
39. Q: What song is traditionally played during the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
A: The song is not specified, but the ceremony is conducted in silence to maintain reverence.
40. Q: What branch of the military performs the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns?
A: The U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, also known as "The Old Guard".
41. Q: How often is the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns?
A: Every hour from October 1st through March 31st, and every half hour from April 1st through September 30th.
42. Q: What is the inscription on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
A: "Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God."
43. Q: How many times does the Sentinel on duty at the Tomb of the Unknowns walk across the mat during his or her walk?
A: The Sentinel walks 21 steps across the mat.
44. Q: Why does the Sentinel take 21 steps during the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns?
A: It symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed, the 21-gun salute.
45. Q: What is the name of the volunteer organization that places American flags on every grave in national cemeteries for Memorial Day?
A: Flags-In, performed by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard."
46. Q: What is the name of the poem that inspired the use of poppies on Memorial Day?
A: "In Flanders Fields".
47. Q: How many verses are in "The Star-Spangled Banner"?
A: There are four verses in "The Star-Spangled Banner".
48. Q: What is the name of the flag-lowering ceremony performed at military bases?
A: Retreat.
49. Q: Who wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields"?
A: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae.
50. Q: What year was the poem "In Flanders Fields" written?
A: 1915.
51. Q: When was the National Moment of Remembrance established?
A: In the year 2000.
52. Q: Which President established the National Moment of Remembrance?
A: President Bill Clinton.
53. Q: What is the official birthplace of Memorial Day according to Federal law?
A: Waterloo, New York.
54. Q: What year was Waterloo, New York, declared the official birthplace of Memorial Day?
A: 1966.
55. Q: Who first proposed the red poppy as a symbol of remembrance for war dead?
A: Moina Michael.
56. Q: What is the name of the act that moved Memorial Day from May 30 to the last Monday in May?
A: The Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
57. Q: In what year did the first large observance of Memorial Day (then called Decoration Day) take place?
A: 1868.
58. Q: Who was the first President to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns on Memorial Day?
A: President John F. Kennedy.
59. Q: What was the name of the Civil War General who declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30?
A: General John A. Logan.
60. Q: Who was the last Civil War veteran to die?
A: Albert Woolson, who died in 1956.
61. Q: How many American soldiers died during the Civil War?
A: Estimates vary, but it is generally accepted that around 620,000 soldiers died.
62. Q: How many American soldiers died during World War I?
A: Approximately 116,516.
63. Q: How many American soldiers died during World War II?
A: Approximately 405,399.
64. Q: How many American soldiers died during the Korean War?
A: Approximately 36,516.
65. Q: How many American soldiers died during the Vietnam War?
A: Approximately 58,220.
66. Q: What symbol is traditionally placed on the graves of unknown soldiers?
A: A white marble tombstone with the words "Here Rests In Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But To God."
67. Q: What musical piece is often played to signal the end of the day on military bases?
A: "Taps."
68. Q: What is the largest military cemetery in the United States?
A: Arlington National Cemetery.
69. Q: What do the three volleys fired at military funerals symbolize?
A: They symbolize duty, honor, and country.
70. Q: Which President first ordered the American flag to be flown at half-staff from dawn until noon on Memorial Day?
A: President Harry S. Truman.
71. Q: What is the name of the volunteer organization that places roses on the graves of soldiers on Memorial Day?
A: The Memorial Day Flowers Foundation.
72. Q: Which President first wore a red poppy on Memorial Day?
A: President Warren G. Harding.
73. Q: What does the acronym "POW/MIA" stand for?
A: Prisoner Of War/Missing In Action.
74. Q: What is the name of the black flag often seen on Memorial Day that represents American soldiers who were Prisoners of War (POWs) or are still Missing In Action (MIA)?
A: The POW/MIA Flag.
75. Q: How many national cemeteries are managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs?
A: As of my knowledge cutoff in 2021, there were 155 national cemeteries managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
76. Q: What is the motto of the Department of Veterans Affairs?
A: "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan."
77. Q: How many World War II veterans are estimated to be alive today?
A: As of 2021, there were fewer than 300,000 World War II veterans alive, but the number changes each year.
78. Q: What is the name of the monument in Washington, D.C., dedicated to World War II veterans?
A: The World War II Memorial.
79. Q: How many stars are on the Freedom Wall of the World War II Memorial, and what do they represent?
A: There are 4,048 gold stars. Each one represents 100 Americans who died in the war.
80. Q: Who is the only U.S. President buried at Arlington National Cemetery?
A: President John F. Kennedy.
81. Q: What U.S. holiday marks the unofficial start of summer?
A: Memorial Day.
82. Q: How long is the National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day?
A: One minute.
83. Q: What is the only flag that can be flown above the U.S. flag?
A: The flag of the President of the United States.
84. Q: What famous patriotic song was written by Irving Berlin and is often performed on Memorial Day?
A: "God Bless America."
85. Q: What is the most common way Americans celebrate Memorial Day, aside from ceremonies and parades?
A: Many Americans have cookouts or barbecues.
86. Q: What does the 'Missing Man' formation symbolize in aerial salutes?
A: It's an aerial salute performed as part of a flyover of aircraft at a funeral or memorial event, typically in memory of a fallen pilot, a well-known military service member or veteran, or a well-known political figure.
87. Q: When was the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier dedicated?
A: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was dedicated on November 11, 1921.
88. Q: How many soldiers are buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
A: There are four soldiers buried there: an unknown soldier from WWI, WWII, the Korean War, and initially from the Vietnam War. However, the unknown from the Vietnam War was later identified and his remains were moved.
89. Q: How many steps does the guard make during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknowns?
A: The guard takes 21 steps during his walk.
90. Q: How long does the guard hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk?
A: The guard pauses for 21 seconds.
91. Q: What type of rifle do the guards carry?
A: The guards carry M-14 rifles.
92. Q: Is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier guarded 24/7?
A: Yes, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in all weather conditions.
93. Q: How many wreaths are usually placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Memorial Day?
A: One major wreath is traditionally placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Memorial Day, often by the President or Vice President of the United States. However, other smaller wreaths may also be placed by other individuals or groups.
94. Q: What is the average number of visitors to the Arlington National Cemetery each year?
A: Arlington National Cemetery hosts more than 3 million visitors each year, as of the last update in 2021.
95. Q: What significant historical event occurred on the first Decoration Day in 1868?
A: General James Garfield gave a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there.
96. Q: What is the proper etiquette for displaying the American flag on Memorial Day?
A: The flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon and then raised to full-staff until sunset.
97. Q: Which monument in Washington D.C. gets decorated with thousands of mini flags on Memorial Day weekend?
A: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
98. Q: What is the record for the most hot dogs eaten on Memorial Day?
A: The record is not specifically tracked for Memorial Day, but the overall world record for hot dog eating is held by Joey Chestnut, who ate 75 hot dogs in 10 minutes during the 2020 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.
99. Q: How many graves are there approximately in Arlington National Cemetery?
A: As of 2021, there are more than 400,000 graves.
100. Q: What is the name of the sculpture at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. that depicts three soldiers?
A: The sculpture is called "The Three Soldiers."
