"Decoration Day" began on May 30, 1868, when relatives, friends and comrades-in-arms of Civil War dead decorated the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery with flowers.

After World War I, the day became one to commemorate those who had served in the US military in any war.

Many towns organize parades or commemoration ceremonies on the last Monday in May, which was renamed Memorial Day.

The Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of the summer travel and vacation season. On this weekend, highways are busy, buses, trains and planes may run near capacity, and reservations for transportation and lodgings are strongly advised.

The weather is unpredictable. Although it's often very pleasant, it can be cold and raw, chilly but sunny, warm and sunny, or hot and humid. You won't know until it arrives.

The summer tourism season ends unofficially on Labor Day, the first Monday in September.

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