The United States of America observes two national holidays annually. Those are Memorial Day and Veterans Day. It is in remembrance of the people who served the country bravely and the ones who got martyred while serving the nation. The people pay their tributes to the militants on these days. And a mourn is observed across the country.
Memorial Day vs Veterans Day
The main difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day is that Memorial Day is to honour the militants who served the nation of the United States and got martyred while serving the country. On the other hand, on Veterans Day, people pay their tributes to the veterans of the country and the people who suffered the mighty world wars.
Memorial Day was held on 30th May every year initially, but later in 1968, after the resolution passed by the Congress, it is memorialised on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day is to honour the men and woman militants who sacrificed their lives while serving their duties for the country. On this day, many people place the U.S. flags near the graves of people who died serving the nation at various cemeteries and memorials.
Veterans Day is marked on 11th November every year since 1919 after World war I. It was priorly known as Armistice Day. On this occasion, people pay tribute to the veterans who played a significant role in serving the nation. People celebrate this day by honouring the veterans and wearing patriotic colours(red, white and blue).
Comparison Between Memorial Day and Veterans Day
| Parameters of Comparison | Memorial Day | Veterans Day |
| Day of Celebration | 30th May, or Last Monday of May month. | 11th November. |
| Starting in Year | The First Memorial Day was celebrated in the year 1868. | The First Veterans Day was in the year 1954. |
| Time of Mourn | Silence is observed at 3 p.m. | Silence is observed at 11 a.m. |
| Historical Background | It was symbolized as an end to the American Civil War. | It was symbolised as an end to the first world war. |
| Celebrated for | It is to honour the militants who died while serving the country. | It is a tribute to the veterans who served the nation. |
What is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is the day in the United States of America when the nation observes national mourning and honours the veterans who died or led their lives for the country. The country people walk down the streets to the cemeteries and memorials. Keep the USA national flag at the graves and pay their tributes to the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
Memorial Day was the first time celebrated in the year 1868. It originated after the American civil war when the citizens of America recalled the memories of their beloved militants and the people who parted during the war and placed an immortelle in front of their graves. Now, Memorial Day is celebrated every year on the last Monday of May, all across the country.
The day is considered a national holiday in tribute to the militants who sacrificed their lives for the nation. It was formerly known as Decoration Day. Several public gatherings were held in various parts of the country. There are parades organised to salute the national heroes of the country.
What is Veterans Day?
Veterans Day is every year celebrated on 11th November. The day was priorly famous by the name of Armistice Day. Veterans day is celebrated since 1918, when the first world war marked an end. Various other nations like Turkey, South Korea, the U.K celebrated the end of World War 1 in different manners.
Veterans Day is celebrated in memories of the veterans/Soldiers who served the country in whichever manner possible. The militants are honoured by the people of the United States by legally observing silence for 2minutes at 2:11 pm. All the federal offices under the non-essential category are closed. Veterans Day is considered one of the national holidays declared by the U.S. Government across the country.
A lot of people give military-themed gifts to each other. The distribution of flags in the neighbourhood takes place. Culturally sound red, white and blue coloured patriotic clothes are worn across the country as a mark of tribute to the militants.
Main Differences Between Memorial Day and Veterans Day
- Memorial Day is celebrated on 30th May or the last Monday of May. Veterans Day is celebrated on 11th November annually.
- Memorial Day is to give our condolences to the militants who sacrificed the lives of their country. On the other hand, Veterans Day is celebrated to honour all the national heroes who served the country.
- Memorial Day and Veterans Day have different reasons and histories behind the respective celebrations.
- National mourn is observed at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day. On Veterans Day, 2 minutes of silence in various countries is observed at 11 a.m.
- Memorial Day was initially called Decoration Day. Veterans Day was priorly known as Armistice Day.
Conclusion
Memorial Day and Veterans Day are significant days in the United States of America. These days are considered the federal holidays of the country. All the non-essential offices and government staff get a holiday to celebrate these days. It is observed as national mourning for the nation as the national flags are held half high.
Both Memorial Day and Veterans Day carry individual different historical backgrounds. Memorial Day is celebrated at the end of the American civil war leading to the demise of more than 680000 lives. Veterans Day is celebrated as marking the end of the execrable World War I. The people of the U.S.A. honour the national heroes who led their lives serving the nation on the occasion of Memorial Day by going to the cemeteries and memorials. On Veterans Day, the people give their fellow veterans a tribute and thank them for serving the country by organising parades, patriotic programs and gifting.
References
- http://www.floridalegionpost13.org/newsletters/2019/november2019.pdf
- https://www.dartmouth.edu/jameswright/docs/2012/veterans_day_is_for_remembering.pdf