Memorial Day 2025: What's open and what's closed on May 26
Memorial Day was originally known as 'Decoration Day,' and originated in the years following the Civil War, according to history.com. It became an official federal holiday in 1971, when Richard Nixon was president.
Unlike other holidays that serve as a celebration, Memorial Day is intended to mourn and honor those who died while serving in the United States' military through the years, according to the National Cemetery Administration.
The official proclamation calls on Americans 'to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace; designating a period of time on Memorial Day during which the people may unite in prayer for a permanent peace; calling on the people of the United States to unite in prayer at that time; and calling on the media to join in observing Memorial Day and the period of prayer.'
Many observe the day by attending local parades or visiting cemeteries and memorials. Some Massachusetts communities are offering a fireworks display.
Read more: Here's where to see fireworks this weekend in Massachusetts
'Some people wear a red poppy in remembrance of those fallen in war — a tradition that began with a World War I poem," according to history.com.
Memorial Day also unofficially marks the beginning of summer, although the weather forecast for this year's holiday leans more spring than summer. Summer officially starts June 20, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.
Bun Bo Hue (hot and spicy lemongrass) beef at Vinh Chau in Springfield, Mass.
Sriracha is one of the preferred toppings to add to pho at Vinh Chau in Springfield, Mass.
Bean sprouts, lime slices, jalapeño, culantro and basil are typical ingredients mixed into pho at Vinh Chau in Springfield, Mass.
Vinh Chau in Springfield, Mass. has an extensive menu of boba and milk teas.
Left to right - Pho Ga (chicken pho), Pho Tai (beef pho) and Bun Bo Hue (hot and spicy lemongrass) soup with beef at Vinh Chau in Springfield, Mass.
Vinh Chau is located at 409 Dickinson St Springfield, Mass. near the X.
Com Ga Nuong (grilled chicken) thigh with rice plate at Vinh Chau in Springfield, Mass.
Goi Cuon (fresh spring rolls with shrimp and pork) with peanut sauce and Nuoc Cham a tangy dipping sauce at Vinh Chau in Springfield, Mass.
Fresh spring rolls with shrimp and pork filling with peanut sauce at Vinh Chau in Springfield, Mass.
Pho Ga (chicken pho) at Vinh Chau in Springfield, Mass.
Brown sugar milk tea with tapioca pearls and a Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk from Vinh Chau in Springfield, Mass.
Grilled chicken thigh with rice and salad at Vinh Chau in Springfield, Mass.
Vinh Chau has been a staple of Springfield, Mass. for over 20 years.
Pho Tai Bo Vien (pho with rare steak, meat balls and rice noodles) from Vinh Chau in Springfield, Mass.
Bean sprouts, lime slices, jalapeño, culantro and basil are typical ingredients mixed into pho at Vinh Chau in Springfield, Mass.
Federal and state courts: Closed
Federal offices: Closed
State offices: Closed
Municipal offices: Closed
Registry of Motor Vehicles: Closed
Libraries: Closed
Public schools: Closed
The New York Stock Exchange and the Dow Jones: Closed
Banks: Most bank branches will be closed, but please check with your local bank.
Liquor stores: Open
Cannabis dispensaries: Massachusetts regulators don't identify specific holidays when cannabis dispensaries must close, according to the Cannabis Control Commission, so the decision to open Monday is up to the store.
Retail stores: Most retail stores will be open, but please check with your local retailer.
Stop & Shop: Open
Auburn Mall: Open
Holyoke Mall: Open
Hampshire Mall: Open
Natick Mall: Open
Big Y: Open
Market Basket: Open
Price Rite: Open
Star Market: Open
Walmart: Open
Target: Open
Wegmans: Open, but pharmacy is closed
Costco: Closed
CVS: Open, although check your store for specific holiday hours.
Walgreens: Open
Aldi: Open, although check your store for specific holiday hours.
Whole Foods: Open, although check your store for specific holiday hours.
Trader Joe's: Open
U.S. Post offices: Closed
FedEx: Closed
UPS: No pickup or delivery service and stores may be closed, but the UPS website encourages customers to check your local store for information.
MBTA: The subway and buses will run on a Sunday schedule. The RIDE will run on a Saturday schedule and the commuter rail will run on a weekend schedule, the agency wrote on its website. No ferry service Hingham to Boston. Hingham/Hull/Logan to Boston will run on a Sunday schedule. The following ferries will run on a weekend schedule: East Boston, Charlestown, Lynn, Winthrop and Quincy. The Charlie Service Center is closed.
Worcester RTA: There is no service on Memorial Day, according to therta.com.
Merrimack Valley RTA: There will be no bus or van service on May 26, according to mvrta.com.
MetroWest RTA: There will be no fixed route or Dial-a-ride on Memorial Day. The Catch Connect service is on a modified schedule: Wellesley, Framingham and Natick, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., according to mwrta.com.
Lowell RTA: There will be no fixed bus route and road runner ADA paratransit service, lrta.com reported.
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Read the original article on MassLive.
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