WASHINGTON — Memorial Day is a time for reflection — a day set aside to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Communities across the country mark the occasion with flag ceremonies, parades and time spent at veterans’ memorials.
Over time, Memorial Day weekend has also become the unofficial start of summer — a time for backyard barbecues, family trips and one of the year’s biggest shopping events.
To explore how Americans celebrate today, WalletHub released its 2025 Memorial Day survey, which breaks down spending habits, travel trends and Memorial Day facts that reflect how the holiday has evolved.
The report draws on data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, American Automobile Association, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other agencies to highlight key patterns across the country.
5 intriguing Memorial Day facts from WalletHub’s 2025 report
1. Veterans in Congress
There are currently 100 members of the 119th Congress who have served in the U.S. military — the fifth time in 50 years that the number of veterans in Congress has increased.
2. Birthplace of Memorial Day
Twenty-five U.S. cities have laid claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day, with New York becoming the first state to officially recognize the holiday in 1873.
3. Memorial Day marks the start of travel season
Roughly 3.6 million people are projected to travel by plane over Memorial Day weekend — a 2% increase compared to 2024.
4. Hot dog season is here
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Americans consume around 818 hot dogs every second, adding up to more than 7 billion over the summer.
5. Memorial Day sales bring deep discounts
Shoppers can expect significant savings over the long weekend, with retailers offering discounts ranging from 20% to 85% off.
View the infographic below for more interesting facts and statistics about Memorial Day from WalletHub.
This article, originally published on May 22, 2024, has been updated with relevant stats.
