What is Memorial Day and how has it evolved from its Civil War origins?

Memorial Day (this year May 25) honors U.S. service members who died in military service; many observe the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m.
It’s become the unofficial start of summer — a long weekend for travel, barbecues and big sales on everything from mattresses to lawn mowers.
Originating after the Civil War as Decoration Day (first proclaimed 1868), it evolved into a three‑day leisure holiday after Congress moved it to the last Monday in May.