Memorial Day stems from the aftermath of the Civil War, when Americans sought ways to honor the loss of life from that catastrophic war that resulted in the death of at least 2 percent of the population at the time, according to the website of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

On Friday and through the Memorial Day weekend, you may see people handing out and wearing red flowers. Here's why.

The red poppy, or Remembrance Poppy, has been a symbol of lives lost to war since World War I (1914–1918). Also known as Memorial Day poppies, these artificial flowers actually play a big part in the history of Memorial Day.

It's Memorial Day weekend. When is Memorial Day? What is open or closed? Are banks closed? Is the stock market open? The post office? What we know.

In the United States, Memorial Day is a federal holiday and always on the last Monday in May. In 2025, Memorial Day is Monday, May 26.

A large area of severe thunderstorms is forecast into Tuesday night and will overlap areas in the Ohio, Tennessee and middle Mississippi valleys that were hit by deadly and damaging storms, forecasters say.

Here's what you need to know about whether banks, post offices, UPS and FedEx will be open on Memorial Day 2025.

Even though the extreme nature of severe weather and tornadoes may decline into the Memorial Day weekend, there will still be significant risks to lives and property the local level.

The Odessa American is the leading source of local news, information, entertainment and sports for the Permian Basin.

It also took into account the historical significance of the Memorial Day traditions in each city, resulting in a list of 25 towns and cities that it ranks as the best for honorin