Memorial Day Trivia 15 Questions and Answers

Memorial Day Trivia  questions and answers

Besides being associated with car sales and mattress sales, oh, and sometimes white sales of sheets and bedding, Memorial Day is a very serious holiday. Let’s see if you know the answers to these Memorial Day trivia questions.

Memorial Day Trivia Questions

  • 1. What is Memorial Day originally known as?
  • 2. When was the first large observance of what would come to be known as Memorial Day?
  • 3. What war prompted the establishment of Memorial Day?
  • 4. In what year was Memorial Day officially declared a federal holiday?
  • 5. Why is the red poppy a symbol of Memorial Day?
  • 6. What is the traditional time for a moment of remembrance on Memorial Day?
  • 7. In which town was the first state-sponsored Memorial Day event held in 1866?
  • 8. What’s the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?
  • 9. Why is Memorial Day often associated with the unofficial start of summer?
  • 10. What is the significance of the National Moment of Remembrance Act?
  • 11. What is traditionally played by buglers during Memorial Day ceremonies?
  • 12. Which U.S. President issued the proclamation calling for a “Decoration Day” to be observed annually?
  • 13. What major sports event is traditionally held on Memorial Day weekend?
  • 14. What is the significance of flags being flown at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day?
  • 15. Which organization played a key role in establishing the red poppy as a symbol of Memorial Day?

Memorial Day Trivia 15 Questions and Answers

  • 1. What is Memorial Day originally known as? Decoration Day
  • 2. When was the first large observance of what would come to be known as Memorial Day? On May 30, 1868
  • 3. What war prompted the establishment of Memorial Day? The American Civil War
  • 4. In what year was Memorial Day officially declared a federal holiday?  In 1971
  • 5. Why is the red poppy a symbol of Memorial Day?  The red poppy came to symbolize the blood shed by those who fought and those who continue to fight for our country following a World War I poem, “In Flanders Fields,” written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae.
  • 6. What is the traditional time for a moment of remembrance on Memorial Day? 3:00 PM local time
  • 7. In which town was the first state-sponsored Memorial Day event held in 1866?  Waterloo, New York
  • 8. What’s the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day? Memorial Day honors military personnel who died in service, while Veterans Day celebrates all U.S. military veterans
  • 9. Why is Memorial Day often associated with the unofficial start of summer? Because it is traditionally celebrated at the end of May, when weather is becoming summer-like in many parts of the United States.
  • 10. What is the significance of the National Moment of Remembrance Act? It encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.
  • 11. What is traditionally played by buglers during Memorial Day ceremonies? “Taps,” a musical piece traditionally played at military funerals and ceremonies.
  • 12. Which U.S. President issued the proclamation calling for a “Decoration Day” to be observed annually? President Ulysses S. Grant
  • 13. What major sports event is traditionally held on Memorial Day weekend? The Indianapolis 500 auto race
  • 14. What is the significance of flags being flown at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day? This is done to honor the over one million men and women who have given their lives in service of their country.
  • 15. Which organization played a key role in establishing the red poppy as a symbol of Memorial Day? The American Legion Auxiliary

So how well did you do answering the Memorial Day trivia questions? I have to confess that when I started to write this quiz, I might have only known three or four answers, so I am glad to have learned something. I remember my Grandfather giving out poppies in front of the grocery store in the 1960s, but I never knew what it meant. Now, I do.

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