Memorial Day Pop Quiz

May 14, 2025

How Much Do You Know About 
America’s Most Solemn Holiday? 

Memorial Day is commonly recognized as the unofficial start of summer – a three-day weekend devoted to backyard festivities and fun in the sun.

But it’s also America's most solemn holiday, a time to honor our fallen military heroes. How much do you know about Memorial Day? Take our pop quiz and find out:

#1. Memorial Day is often confused with another annual observance. Which one?

A. Patriot Day

B. Veterans Day

C. Juneteenth

D. Armed Forces Day

E. Labor Day


Answer: B. Memorial Day and Veterans Day (November 11) are often confused. But while Memorial Day honors military personnel who died during their time of service, Veterans Day recognizes all U.S. military veterans (both living and deceased) who previously served in any branch of the Armed Forces.


Patriot Day (September 11) pays tribute to all who were killed or injured during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Juneteenth (June 19) commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in 1865. It became a federal holiday in 2021.  Armed Forces Day (the third Saturday of May) honors the men and women currently serving in the U.S. military. Labor Day (observed on the first Monday of September) celebrates the American labor movement and the contributions and American workers and marks the unofficial end of the summer season, 

#2. Memorial Day was established to honor soldiers killed in which U.S. military conflict?

A. World War I

B. Revolutionary War

C. World War II

D. Civil War

E. Vietnam War


Answer: D. Memorial Day was officially established in 1868 to honor the 620,000 soldiers killed in the bloodiest war in American history: the Civil War. (Veterans Day, on the other hand, commemorates the end of World War I on November 11, 1918.)

The military casualties of the other wars mentioned are:

  • World War I – 53,000
  • Revolutionary War – 6,800
  • World War II – 292,000
  • Vietnam War – 58,000

#3. By what name was Memorial Day previously known?

A. Day of the Dead

B. Decoration Day

C. Fallen Heroes Day

D. Remembrance Day

E. Armistice Day


Answer: B. Memorial Day was previously known as Decoration Day because observers would decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery on May 30. The holiday came to be called Memorial Day after World War II, but it wasn't until 1967 that the name became official.


The Day of the Dead is a traditional Mexican holiday observed in November to honor friends and family members who have died. While Memorial Day does honor fallen heroes, it was never known as Fallen Heroes Day. 

Remembrance Day is observed in British Commonwealth member states to honor the members of their armed forces who died during military service. Like Veterans Day in the U.S., it marked the end of hostilities during World War 1. Armistice Day is another name for Remembrance Day, although our Veterans Day was also called Armistice Day prior to 1954. (Are you confused yet?)

#4. Which of the following was a favorite picnic spot for Memorial Day celebrants in the late 1800s?

A. Public parks

B. In the street

C. Cemeteries

D. Neighborhood backyards

E. None of the above; families stayed home and observed in silence. 


Answer: C. Believe it or not, at one time, cemeteries were common sites for family picnics. This practice was particularly popular in the late 1800s and into the 20th century, when most municipalities lacked proper recreational areas. The tombstone-laden grounds offered the next best thing.

Families could visit the burial sites of their fallen loved ones and then enjoy a picnic lunch on the family plot. These meals were known as "dinner on the ground."

#5. Which town is credited with celebrating the first Memorial Day in 1866? 

A. Waterloo, Iowa

B. Waterloo, Ohio

C. Waterloo, Arkansas

D. Waterloo, Virginia

E. Waterloo, New York


Answer: E. Waterloo, New York, is credited with starting Memorial Day on May 5, 1866. Shops and businesses closed to allow residents to decorate the graves of fallen Civil War soldiers. Shortly thereafter, former Union General John Logan spearheaded the effort to unite nationwide decoration services into one official holiday. 

That finally happened two years later, in 1868.

But Waterloo, Iowa, is not without its own unique tribute to our fallen heroes. While serving together during WWII, five brothers from Waterloo's Sullivan family all perished when a Japanese destroyer torpedoed the USS Juneau. The Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum memorializes their bravery. In addition, the U.S. Navy later named two destroyers The Sullivans, to honor the Iowa siblings.

Lest We Forget

We leave you with this poignant tribute to all those who never made it home:

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