These Memorial Day trivia questions cover the day of remembrance: how Decoration Day began in 1868, why the holiday moved to a Monday, the poppy, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and how the day differs from Veterans Day.
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Four rounds, in a plain voice
Decoration Day and how the date was set runs from the Grand Army of the Republic to the Monday law. Customs and their rules has the flag at half-staff, the minute of remembrance and the poppy. National cemeteries and memorials visits Arlington and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Memorial Day, Veterans Day and other days sets the day beside Armed Forces Day and Remembrance Day. No question asks about a battle, a weapon or a count of the dead.
Memorial Day trivia questions and answers printable
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Tips
Memorial Day, Veterans Day and other days is the gentlest round by our estimate. National cemeteries and memorials holds the most detail.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?
Memorial Day honors those who died while in military service. Veterans Day, on November 11, commemorates the service of all U.S. veterans. A third day, Armed Forces Day in May, honors those serving now.
How is the flag flown on Memorial Day?
At half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. The Flag Code adds that a flag going to half-staff is first hoisted to the peak for an instant.
Why was Memorial Day called Decoration Day?
Because graves were decorated. John A. Logan, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, chose May 30, 1868, as a day to decorate the graves of Union troops. The name Memorial Day was first used in 1882.
What is the National Moment of Remembrance?
A pause of one minute at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day to remember those who died in military service. It was first proclaimed in May 2000 and put in law by Congress that December.
A town called Rochester has held a Memorial Day parade since 1867, a year longer than Doylestown, Grafton and Ironton. In which state is it?Answer: Wisconsin. Source: Wikipedia: Memorial Day
By which year had every northern state made Decoration Day a holiday?Answer: 1890. Source: Wikipedia: Memorial Day
The Grand Army of the Republic was a fraternal organization of veterans who had served on which side in the Civil War?Answer: The Union. Source: Wikipedia: Grand Army of the Republic
The Grand Army of the Republic was dissolved in which year, after its last member died?Answer: 1956. Source: Wikipedia: Grand Army of the Republic
The holiday's present name was first used in which year?Answer: 1882. Source: Wikipedia: Memorial Day
In the election of 1884, John A. Logan was an unsuccessful candidate for which office?Answer: Vice President. Source: Wikipedia: John A. Logan
In which Illinois city was the Grand Army of the Republic founded in 1866?Answer: Decatur. Source: Wikipedia: Grand Army of the Republic
John A. Logan served which state as a representative and a senator in Congress?Answer: Illinois. Source: Wikipedia: John A. Logan
Memorial Day grew out of commemorations held after which war?Answer: The Civil War. Source: Wikipedia: Veterans Day
Which act of Congress moved Memorial Day from its traditional date to a Monday?Answer: The Uniform Monday Holiday Act. Source: Wikipedia: Memorial Day
Which office did John A. Logan hold when he chose a day in 1868 for decorating the graves of Union troops?Answer: Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. Source: National Archives: Memorial Day: A Commemoration
Which state was the first to make Decoration Day an official state holiday, in 1873?Answer: New York. Source: Wikipedia: Memorial Day
Which veterans' organization has advocated returning Memorial Day to its original date?Answer: The Veterans of Foreign Wars. Source: Wikipedia: Memorial Day
Which veterans' organization proclaimed the first national Decoration Day in 1868?Answer: The Grand Army of the Republic. Source: Wikipedia: Memorial Day
Why did Congress move Memorial Day and other holidays to Mondays?Answer: To create three-day weekends. Source: Wikipedia: Memorial Day
Customs and their rules 15
By law, the president is asked to proclaim Memorial Day each year as a day of prayer for what?Answer: Permanent peace. Source: U.S. Code, title 36, section 116, as published by the Legal Information Institute
By the Flag Code, how far up the staff does a flag at half-staff fly?Answer: Halfway between the top and the bottom. Source: U.S. Code, title 4, section 7, as published by the Legal Information Institute
Each year a national concert for Memorial Day takes place on the west lawn of which building?Answer: The United States Capitol. Source: Wikipedia: Memorial Day
How long is the 3 p.m. pause on the holiday meant to last?Answer: One minute. Source: Wikipedia: National Moment of Remembrance
In 1948 the woman known as the "Poppy Lady" was honored with a commemorative what?Answer: A 3-cent stamp. Source: Wikipedia: Moina Michael
In which year did Congress put the National Moment of Remembrance into law?Answer: 2000. Source: Wikipedia: National Moment of Remembrance
On a service flag hung in a window, what does a gold star stand for?Answer: A family member who died in military service. Source: Wikipedia: Service flag
The silk poppies of the first nationwide Poppy Day, in May 1921, were made by widows and children in the devastated regions of which nation?Answer: France. Source: Wikipedia: Remembrance poppy
Taps is sounded at memorial ceremonies. At the end of a military day, what does the same call signal?Answer: Lights out. Source: Wikipedia: Taps (bugle call)
The teacher who promoted the remembrance poppy was on leave from a professorship at the university of which state?Answer: Georgia. Source: Wikipedia: Remembrance poppy
When a flag is to fly at half-staff, what does the Flag Code say to do with it first?Answer: Hoist it to the peak for an instant. Source: U.S. Code, title 4, section 7, as published by the Legal Information Institute
Which Union general arranged Taps in its present form?Answer: Daniel Butterfield. Source: Wikipedia: Taps (bugle call)
Which veterans' organization adopted the poppy as its official symbol of remembrance in 1920?Answer: The American Legion. Source: Wikipedia: Remembrance poppy
Who is known as the "Poppy Lady" for the idea of using poppies as a symbol of remembrance?Answer: Moina Michael. Source: Wikipedia: Moina Michael
Why was 3 p.m. chosen for the National Moment of Remembrance?Answer: Most Americans are enjoying time off for the holiday then. Source: Wikipedia: National Moment of Remembrance
National cemeteries and memorials 15
A granite wall at the Korean War Veterans Memorial bears which message, inlaid in silver?Answer: Freedom Is Not Free. Source: Wikipedia: Korean War Veterans Memorial
The first Unknown Soldier laid in the Tomb at Arlington had served in which war?Answer: World War I. Source: Arlington National Cemetery: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Gettysburg National Cemetery is under the care of which agency?Answer: The National Park Service. Source: Wikipedia: United States National Cemetery System
How many stainless steel statues stand in the Korean War Veterans Memorial?Answer: 19. Source: Wikipedia: Korean War Veterans Memorial
How many steps does a Tomb Guard march down the mat before turning?Answer: 21. Source: Wikipedia: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Arlington National Cemetery)
In France in 1921, how did Sgt. Edward Younger choose the Unknown Soldier from four caskets?Answer: He placed a spray of white roses on one. Source: Arlington National Cemetery: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
In which state is Arlington National Cemetery?Answer: Virginia. Source: Wikipedia: Arlington National Cemetery
The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific lies in Punchbowl Crater in which city?Answer: Honolulu. Source: Wikipedia: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
On the front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, three carved figures represent Peace, Victory and what?Answer: Valor. Source: Arlington National Cemetery: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Since July 1937, for how much of each day has the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier been guarded?Answer: All 24 hours. Source: Wikipedia: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Arlington National Cemetery)
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the best-known memorial of which cemetery?Answer: Arlington National Cemetery. Source: Arlington National Cemetery: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
What do the 56 granite pillars of the World War II Memorial represent?Answer: U.S. states and territories. Source: Wikipedia: World War II Memorial
Which department has charge of Arlington National Cemetery?Answer: The Department of the Army. Source: Wikipedia: United States National Cemetery System
Which president spoke at the Tomb ceremony of November 11, 1921, and placed the Medal of Honor on the casket?Answer: Warren G. Harding. Source: Arlington National Cemetery: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Which ship carried the Unknown Soldier from Le Havre, France, to Washington in 1921?Answer: USS Olympia. Source: Arlington National Cemetery: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Memorial Day, Veterans Day and other days 15
Anzac Day, April 25, is kept by which two countries?Answer: Australia and New Zealand. Source: Wikipedia: Anzac Day
Canada, the United Kingdom and many other Commonwealth nations keep a similar day on November 11. What is it called?Answer: Remembrance Day. Source: Wikipedia: Memorial Day
Decoration Days of another kind, when families gather at their own cemeteries, are a living tradition in which mountain region?Answer: Southern Appalachia. Source: Wikipedia: Decoration Day (tradition)
France buried its Unknown Soldier in 1920 at the base of which monument in Paris?Answer: The Arc de Triomphe. Source: Arlington National Cemetery: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
How does Memorial Day differ from Veterans Day?Answer: Memorial Day honors those who died in service; Veterans Day honors all veterans. Source: Wikipedia: Veterans Day
In France, which emblem is worn instead of a remembrance poppy?Answer: The bleuet de France. Source: Wikipedia: Remembrance poppy
In South Korea, what rings all over the country at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day?Answer: A siren. Source: Wikipedia: Memorial Day (South Korea)
In which year did President Woodrow Wilson issue a message for the first Armistice Day?Answer: 1919. Source: Wikipedia: Veterans Day
On Armistice Day 1920, Great Britain buried its Unknown Warrior inside which building?Answer: Westminster Abbey. Source: Arlington National Cemetery: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
On the last Sunday of which month does the United States honor Gold Star mothers?Answer: September. Source: Wikipedia: American Gold Star Mothers
Remembrance Day has a second name that comes from an emblem people wear. What is it?Answer: Poppy Day. Source: Wikipedia: Remembrance Day
The Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved Veterans Day to a Monday in October. In which year was it returned to November 11?Answer: 1978. Source: Wikipedia: Uniform Monday Holiday Act
Veterans Day is officially written with no apostrophe. What reason does the Department of Veterans Affairs give?Answer: It is a day for honoring veterans, not one that belongs to them. Source: Wikipedia: Veterans Day
Which day in May honors those who are serving in the armed forces now?Answer: Armed Forces Day. Source: Wikipedia: Memorial Day
Which World War II veteran from Birmingham, Alabama, had the idea of widening Armistice Day to honor all veterans?Answer: Raymond Weeks. Source: Wikipedia: Veterans Day
How this list was compiled
Written for this site; nothing was copied from another list. Every question, wrong choice and explanation is our own wording. Each answer agrees with a sentence in the page named and linked beside the question, read on 2026-10-02; every extra claim in an explanation was read on the same page. The flag rules are quoted from the Flag Code (U.S. Code, title 4, section 7) and the day of prayer for peace from title 36, section 116, both as published by the Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School (https://www.law.cornell.edu). The story of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier follows Arlington National Cemetery's own page (https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil), and one question follows the National Archives page on Memorial Day (https://www.archives.gov). The other questions cite the English Wikipedia article (https://en.wikipedia.org) the sentence was read in. The pack is about the day of remembrance and is written in a plain voice: no question asks about a battle, a weapon or a count of the dead, and no branch of service has a round. Left out on purpose: living people, sports events and broadcasts, the names of companies, the number of graves or cemeteries, which changes, and the dates on which the articles disagree (when the Monday law was signed, when the present name became official). Facts the site's May, Americana, fall and history packs already ask (the first name of the holiday, the date chosen in 1868, the year of the move to Monday, half-staff until noon, the hour of the moment of remembrance, the poem behind the poppy, the town named the birthplace) were left out or asked from another side, so no question here repeats one of theirs word for word as they stood on 2026-10-02. Levels are our estimate for a mixed table of adults and older children; each round is stored easiest first. Licence: own work