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Quizzes > History > Wars & Historic Events

Ready to Honor Our Heroes? Take the Memorial Day Trivia Quiz!

Ready for a quick Memorial Day quiz? Try these trivia questions with answers!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for Memorial Day trivia quiz on a teal background

Welcome, history enthusiasts! Dive into our free Memorial Day Trivia Quiz and test your patriot knowledge with tailor-made memorial day trivia questions. In this fun memorial day quiz, you'll explore solemn traditions and inspiring stories while tackling memorial day trivia with answers to validate your insights. Perfect for curious minds, you'll not only learn captivating facts but also challenge friends. Ready to prove your expertise? Click through our Memorial Day trivia questions and then keep the spirit alive with a patriotic trivia challenge ! Don't wait - jump in now to honor those who served.

What day is Memorial Day observed each year?
Last Monday in May
First Monday in June
May 30th
June 1st
Memorial Day was originally fixed on May 30 but was moved by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to the last Monday in May to create a three-day weekend, effective in 1971. This change honors all who have fallen in U.S. service on a consistent Monday schedule. Today, Americans observe Memorial Day on the last Monday each May. History.com
Originally, Memorial Day was established to honor the fallen soldiers of which conflict?
Revolutionary War
Civil War
World War I
Spanish-American War
Memorial Day began in 1868 as Decoration Day, a day to honor Union soldiers who died during the Civil War. General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic designated May 30 for decorating the graves of fallen soldiers. Over time, the observance expanded to honor all Americans who died in military service. Archives.gov
What was the original name for Memorial Day?
Patriot Day
Veterans Day
Decoration Day
Armistice Day
Before it became known as Memorial Day, the holiday was called Decoration Day because families and communities decorated the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers and flags. The name shifted after World War II to honor American military personnel who died in all wars. By the 1960s the term 'Memorial Day' was universally adopted. History.com
Which flower is commonly associated with Memorial Day tributes?
Daisy
Poppy
Lily
Rose
The red poppy became a symbol of remembrance after World War I, inspired by John McCrae's poem 'In Flanders Fields.' U.S. educator Moina Michael popularized wearing the poppy on Memorial Day to honor fallen soldiers. Today, many veterans organizations sell poppies as a tribute. VA.gov
Which federal law moved Memorial Day to the last Monday in May?
Memorial Day Act
Veterans Recognition Act
Uniform Monday Holiday Act
Holiday Observance Act
The Uniform Monday Holiday Act, signed in 1968 and effective in 1971, moved several federal holidays, including Memorial Day, to Mondays. The change was designed to provide uniform three-day weekends for workers. Consequently, Memorial Day now falls on the last Monday of May each year. Archives.gov
In what year did Memorial Day become an official federal holiday?
1868
1918
1971
1945
Although Decoration Day began in 1868, Memorial Day was declared an official federal holiday on June 28, 1971, when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This law standardized the observance date while giving it federal recognition. The first official holiday under this act occurred in May 1971. Archives.gov
What time is the National Moment of Remembrance observed on Memorial Day?
3 p.m.
Sunrise
Noon
6 p.m.
A resolution passed by Congress in 2000 designated 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day as the National Moment of Remembrance. During this time, Americans are encouraged to pause for one minute to honor those who died in military service. Many communities and institutions observe this moment with ceremonies. Remember.gov
Which organization first proclaimed Decoration Day in 1868?
Daughters of the American Revolution
American Legion
Grand Army of the Republic
Sons of Union Veterans
The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a fraternal organization of Union veterans, issued General Order No. 11 on May 5, 1868, calling for a nationwide Decoration Day on May 30. The GAR's initiative led to the first large-scale observance at Arlington National Cemetery. This event laid the foundation for the modern Memorial Day holiday. History.com
Which state was the first to officially recognize Decoration Day as a holiday?
New York
Virginia
Pennsylvania
Ohio
New York State was the first to officially recognize Decoration Day in 1873, issuing a proclamation for flags to be flown at half-staff. While local observances occurred earlier, New York's action made it the first state to formalize the holiday in law. Other states soon followed with similar recognitions. Archives.gov
What bugle call is traditionally played at the close of Memorial Day ceremonies?
Reveille
Taps
The Star-Spangled Banner
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Taps is a 24-note bugle call composed during the American Civil War by General Daniel Butterfield in 1862. It became the standard signal for lights out and is now played at military funerals and Memorial Day events to honor the fallen. Its solemn melody symbolizes respect and remembrance. Britannica
Who signed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which affected Memorial Day's date?
Dwight D. Eisenhower
John F. Kennedy
Richard Nixon
Lyndon B. Johnson
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act into law on June 28, 1968. The act moved Memorial Day and several other federal holidays to Mondays, effective in 1971, to provide uniform three-day weekends. Johnson's signature formalized the change in observance dates. Archives.gov
Which traditional ceremony takes place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Memorial Day?
Flyover salute
Changing of the Guard
21-gun salute
Wreath-laying ceremony
Each Memorial Day, a wreath-laying ceremony is held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, often with the President or a high-ranking official placing the wreath. This act pays tribute to unidentified or missing service members who sacrificed their lives. The ceremony underscores the nation's commitment to remembering the fallen. ArlingtonCemetery.mil
Who is known as the 'Poppy Lady' for initiating the Memorial Day poppy campaign in the U.S.?
Moina Michael
Clara Barton
Mary Edwards Walker
Anna Jarvis
Moina Michael was inspired by the poem 'In Flanders Fields' to begin wearing and selling red poppies in 1918 to raise funds for veterans. Her efforts led to the establishment of the poppy as an international symbol of remembrance for those who died in war. She is often called the 'Poppy Lady' for this work. ArlingtonCemetery.mil
Where did the first national Decoration Day ceremonies take place on May 30, 1868?
Arlington National Cemetery
Congressional Cemetery
Waterloo, New York
Gettysburg National Cemetery
General John A. Logan designated Arlington National Cemetery as the site for the first national Decoration Day ceremony on May 30, 1868. Thousands of participants decorated the graves of Union soldiers with flowers and flags. This observance is considered the origin of modern Memorial Day. ArlingtonCemetery.mil
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the historical origins of Memorial Day -

    Gain insight into how Memorial Day began after the Civil War and evolved into a national day of remembrance.

  2. Recall key figures and events commemorated on Memorial Day -

    Identify notable individuals and pivotal moments honored during Memorial Day observances.

  3. Identify symbols and traditions associated with Memorial Day -

    Explore common practices like the laying of wreaths, flag protocols, and national moments of silence.

  4. Analyze the significance of patriotic symbols in Memorial Day trivia -

    Examine the meaning behind icons such as poppies, flags, and military ceremonies in honoring fallen soldiers.

  5. Sharpen your trivia skills on American military history -

    Test your knowledge with multiple-choice questions covering facts and stories from U.S. military history.

  6. Appreciate diverse ways to honor fallen soldiers -

    Discover various regional and cultural traditions that shape contemporary Memorial Day observances.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Origins of Memorial Day -

    Memorial Day began as "Decoration Day" in 1868 when General John A. Logan called for a national day to decorate Union soldiers' graves on May 30th (National Archives). Remember the date with the mnemonic "May Three-Zero" to mark the first official observance. This origin reflects post - Civil War mourning and set a template for honoring all fallen U.S. service members.

  2. Poppy as a Symbol -

    The red poppy became a universal emblem for Memorial Day after World War I, inspired by Poem "In Flanders Fields" (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs). Use the phrase "Poppies Paint Precious Peace" to remember the flower's link to remembrance and resilience. Today, wearing a poppy honors those who sacrificed while raising funds for veteran support programs.

  3. National Moment of Remembrance -

    In 2000, Congress established a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 P.M. local time to pause for one minute of silence (U.S. Congress Public Law 106-579). Try the memory helper "Three P.M. Pause" to lock in both time and action. This brief collective silence unites communities in gratitude regardless of location.

  4. Diverse State Traditions -

    While the federal holiday is observed last Monday in May, some states still honor it on May 30th or with unique ceremonies - like Alabama's native plant planting (Library of Congress). Recall "State Styles Show Strength" to appreciate how local customs reinforce national unity. Studying these variations highlights America's rich tapestry of remembrance.

  5. Memorial Day vs. Veterans Day -

    Memorial Day honors those who died in service, while Veterans Day celebrates all who've served (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs). Use the mnemonic "Memorial = Missing" to remember the fallen and "Veterans = Valued Veterans Present" for living heroes. Distinguishing these ensures respectful and accurate commemorations.

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