Memorial Day is observed every day.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country 's armed forces . It marks the start of the unofficial summer vacation season , while Labor Day marks its end . Memorial Day has been observed annually since July 1 , 1917 , to recall the losses of approximately 700 soldiers of the 1st Newfoundland Regiment from the Dominion of Newfoundland at Beaumont-Hamel on the first day on the Somme during the First World War . The South Korean ( officially the Republic of Korea ) Memorial Day ( [ 현충일 , translit = Hyeonchung-il ] ) is held every June 6 to commemorate the men and women who died while in military service during the Korean War and other significant wars or battles .