100 Memorial Day Trivia Questions And Facts You Didn’t Know (To Honor & Remember)
Memorial Day Trivia is an inspiring opportunity to explore the history and traditions of the holiday.
Memorial Day is a time for reflection, remembrance, and honoring the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Test your knowledge and deepen your understanding of this important day.
Memorial Day Symbols Trivia (Picture Quiz)
Name the symbol pictured for this quiz round.
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Which branch of the military does each picture represent?
Name the famous memorial for this trivia quiz.
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Memorial Day Trivia Facts For Kids
18. When is Memorial Day honored each year in the United States?
19. Who do we honor on Memorial Day?
20. How many branches are there in the United States Armed Forces?
21. Which branch executes military operations in the air?
22. Which branch conducts combat missions on the ground?
23. Which branch enforces laws at sea, secures waterways, and leads search and rescue missions?
24. Which branch supports other branches in land, sea, and air combat operations?
25. Which branch protects waterways and provides runways for aircraft when at sea?
26. Which branch organizes and trains members to conduct global space operations?
27. What is the largest and oldest branch of the U.S. military?
28. What was Memorial Day originally known as?
29. What year did the first Memorial Day ceremony take place? (Hint: Shortly after the end of the American Civil War)
30. What object do you traditionally fly on Memorial Day?
31. Who is credited for sewing the first American flag?
32. How many stars are on an American flag?
33. How many stripes are on an American flag?
34. Many Americans treat Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of what?
35. Small American flags are placed at the head of each gravestone during this holiday. In what well-known cemetery in Virginia are these patriotic remembrances placed?
36. What year was Memorial Day named a federal holiday? (Hint: Richard Nixon was President)
37. What act moved Memorial Day from May 30 to the last Monday in May each year?
38. The National Moment of Remembrance takes place at what time each Memorial Day?
39. What red flower is often worn on Memorial Day as a symbol of remembrance?
40. The wearing of poppies originated from the poem “In Flanders Fields” written during which war?
41. True or False: In addition, Memorial Day serves as a time to remember and honor deceased family members and loved ones.
42. What do many people visit to pay their respects on Memorial Day?
43. Which historical monument was dedicated on Memorial Day in 1922?
44. What city in New York state is known as the birthplace of Memorial Day?
45. Arlington National Cemetery used to be a plantation belonging to what famous general?
46. What does MIA stand for in a military context?
47. What does POW stand for in a military context?
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Memorial Day Traditions & Celebrations Trivia
48. American flags mark Memorial Day at half-staff from sunrise until noon and then _________ until sundown.
Answer: Full staff
49. What does wearing the color red symbolize on Memorial Day?
Answer: Bloodshed of fallen soldiers
50. What does wearing the color white symbolize when worn on Memorial Day?
Answer: Purity and selflessness exhibited by those who gave their life. It also represents hope and peace.
51. General John A. Logan called for a nationwide remembrance day to be held on what date each year until it was changed in 1971?
Answer: May 30
52. What U.S. general (and future U.S. president) made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery on the first Decoration Day?
Answer: James Garfield
53. How many graves did they place flowers on in Arlington National Cemetery on the first National Decoration Day?
Answer: 20,000
54. Why was it called Decoration Day?
Answer: People were meant to decorate soldier’s graves with flowers, wreaths, and flags.
55. By 1890 Northern States had made Decoration Day an official state holiday. Southern states continued to honor the dead on separate holidays until after what event?
Answer: World War I
56. During a national commemoration held annually on Memorial Day, a wreath is placed on what memorial in Arlington National Cemetery
Answer: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
57. How many soldiers are buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
Answer: Three
58. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknowns?
Answer: The guard takes 21 steps during his walk. (source)
59. Who was the President when Memorial Day became a national holiday?
Answer: Richard Nixon
60. What U.S. president signed the National Moment of Remembrance Act?
Answer: President Bill Clinton
61. Memorial Day is commonly mixed up with another military holiday that honors those who have served or are serving. What holiday is this?
Answer: Veterans Day
62. Today, many cities such as Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C. host what each Memorial Day?
Answer: Parades
63. What auto racing event is typically held on the Sunday before Memorial Day weekend?
Answer: Indy 500
64. Many Americans take part in this outdoor activity on Memorial Day. What is it?
Barbeque
65. What food will be consumed at the rate of 818 per second starting on Memorial Day through Labor Day?
Answer: Hot dogs (source)
66. What Memorial Day parade is the largest in the U.S., attracting 250,000 live spectators?
Answer: National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.
67. What makes Memorial Day weekend a popular time for shopping?
Answer: Retailers typically offer special discounts and sales.
68. In 2023, 42.3 million Americans were expected to do this. What is it?
Answer: Travel (50 miles or more) from their homes over the weekend.
69. The annual biker rally in Washington, D.C. each Memorial Day is called what?
Answer: The Rolling Thunder Run
70. What organization sells red poppies to raise funds for veterans?
Answer: The American Legion Auxiliary.
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Memorial Day Trivia Multiple Choice
Answer these Memorial Day trivia multiple-choice questions.
Fact: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in all weather conditions.
71. Memorial Day initially only honored the fallen from which war?
A. World War I
B. The American Civil War
C. World War II
D. Vietnam War
Answer: B- The American Civil War
72. About how many soldiers were killed during the civil war?
A. 600,000
B. 700,000
C. 800,000
D. 500,000
Answer: A- 600,000
73. When there was a shortage of natural poppies in 1924, which city was the first to manufacture artificial poppies?
A. New York City, New York
B. Boston, Massachusetts
C. Washington, D.C.
D. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Answer: D- Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
74. Which highly esteemed medal is awarded for valor in action against an enemy force?
A. Medal of Honor
B. Purple Heart
C. Bronze Star medal
D. Army Achievement Medal
Answer: -A-Medal of Honor
75. “Be all you can be” was the ad slogan for which branch of the U.S. armed forces?
A. Marines
B. Air Force
C. Army
D. Coast Guard
Answer: C-Army
76. Why was May 30th chosen as the original day to celebrate Memorial Day?
A. It marked the start of the Civil War.
B. It marked the end of the Civil War
C. It was the day of the first Civil War casualty.
D. There were no significant battles on that day in history.
Answer: D
77. The American Civil War resulted in the creation of the country’s first what?
A. National cemeteries
B. National monument
C. National Guard
D. National Security Administration
Answer: A-National cemeteries
78.
Answer: C- Around 400,000 soldiers
79. What item is placed on each grave at Arlington Cemetery every year during the National
Memorial Day celebration?
A. A paper poppy
B. A small American flag
C. A military medal
D. A wreath
Answer: D- a small American flag
80. Which of the following is commonly used to decorate graves on Memorial Day?
A. Balloons
B. Notes
C. Wreaths
D. Candles
Answer: C- Wreaths
81. What state is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier located in?
A. West Virginia
B. Virginia
C. Massachusetts
D. Delaware
Answer: B-Virginia
82. Who are the only two U.S. presidents buried at Arlington National Cemetery?
A. John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft
B. Ulysses S. Grant and John F. Kennedy
C. Gerald Ford and Andrew Jackson
D. Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ulysses S. Grant
Answer: A- John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft
83. What is the top Memorial Day weekend destination?
A. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
B. Orlando, Florida
C., Washington, D.C.
D. Philadelphia, PA
Answer: B- Orlando, FL
84. Memorial Day weekend has been known as being the most hazardous holiday. Which incident caused it to be known as very risky?
A. Parades
B. Barbeques
C. Fireworks
D. Traffic Accidents
Answer: D-Traffic accidents
85. Which memorial to the fallen was the first to be inaugurated on the Washington D.C. National Mall?
A. Vietnam Veterans Memorial
B. World War II Memorial
C. Korean War Veterans Memorial
D. District of Columbia War Memorial
Answer: A- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
86. A national cemetery is a burial site for veterans and their eligible family members. How many national cemeteries are there in the United States?
A. 10
B. 56
C. 112
D. 155
Answer: D- The Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration maintains 155 national cemeteries.
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Iconic Patriotic Songs & Movies
87. Who composed the “Star-Spangled Banner”?
Answer: Francis Scott Key
88. The “America the Beautiful” is based on the poem “Pikes Peak” written by who?
Answer: Katharine Lee Bates
89. What is the official song of the U.S. Army?
Answer: “The Army Goes Rolling Along”
90. What is the official song of the U.S. Navy?
Answer: “Anchors Aweigh”
91. What is the official song of the U.S. Air Force?
Answer: “Wild Blue Yonder”
92. What is the official song of the U.S. Marine Corps?
Answer: “Marines’ Hymn”
93. The Coast Guard theme song is “Semper Paratus.” What does it mean?
Answer: Always ready
94. What bugle call is played at all military funerals and memorial services?
Answer: Taps
95. Which American composer wrote “Stars and Stripes Forever,”? It’s popularly played on Memorial Day.
Answer: John Philip Sousa
96. What famous patriotic song was written by Irving Berlin and is often performed on Memorial Day?
A: “God Bless America.”
97. What movie, directed by Steven Spielberg, follows a group of soldiers during World War II on a mission to bring home a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action?
Answer: Saving Private Ryan (1998)
98. What movie, directed by Clint Eastwood, is based on the life of Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL sniper?
Answer: American Sniper (2014)
99. What movie stars Charlie Sheen as an infantryman during the Vietnam War?
Answer: Platoon (1986)
100. What movie tells the story of the six servicemen who were famously photographed raising an American flag on Iwo Jima?
Answer: Flags of Our Fathers (2006)
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