Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who had died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May. Here are 57 riddles related to Memorial Day to test your knowledge about this important day.
Riddles about Memorial Day
Riddle 1
I’m a day in May when we honor the fallen, by visiting gravesites and holding memorials. What holiday am I?
Answer: Memorial Day
Riddle 2
We celebrate those who fought for our country on this holiday. Red poppies are a symbol. When is it?
Answer: Memorial Day
Riddle 3
I’m a federal holiday at the end of May. People honor fallen soldiers on this day. What am I?
Answer: Memorial Day
Riddle 4
Parades and solemn ceremonies take place on me. I honor those who died serving their country. What holiday am I?
Answer: Memorial Day
Riddle 5
On the last Monday each May, people in the U.S. take time to remember soldiers who passed away. What is this holiday called?
Answer: Memorial Day
Riddle 6
I’m a three day weekend that kicks off the summer season. Many honor fallen soldiers on this U.S. holiday. What am I?
Answer: Memorial Day
Riddle 7
Families decorate the graves of fallen soldiers on this somber federal holiday. It falls at the end of May. What is it called?
Answer: Memorial Day
Riddle 8
On this day we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Their graves are decorated with flowers and flags. When is it?
Answer: Memorial Day
Riddle 9
I’m a holiday that honors and mourns military personnel who died serving their country. Many visit cemeteries to pay respects. When am I?
Answer: Memorial Day
Riddle 10
In May we celebrate this patriotic holiday, honoring fallen heroes with parades and memorials. Do you know what it’s called?
Answer: Memorial Day
History of Memorial Day Riddles
Riddle 11
I was once called Decoration Day, when people decorated graves of Civil War soldiers. What holiday am I now?
Answer: Memorial Day
Riddle 12
This somber holiday started after the Civil War, when Americans decorated graves of fallen soldiers. What is it called today?
Answer: Memorial Day
Riddle 13
In 1868 General John Logan declared this holiday for decorating graves of Civil War soldiers. What do we call it now?
Answer: Memorial Day
Riddle 14
I originated as Decoration Day after the Civil War. Graves of Union and Confederate soldiers were decorated. What holiday am I now?
Answer: Memorial Day
Riddle 15
This solemn holiday was once called Decoration Day. It started honoring fallen Civil War soldiers, but honors all now. What is it?
Answer: Memorial Day
Traditions and Customs Riddles
Riddle 16
Wearing this red flower is a tradition on Memorial Day. It symbolizes the blood shed by fallen soldiers. What flower is it?
Answer: Red poppy
Riddle 17
On Memorial Day wreaths and flowers are placed on these. Cemeteries host memorial ceremonies honoring the fallen. What are they?
Answer: Graves
Riddle 18
I’m a flag ceremony that happens on Memorial Day. People carry flags marching in parades or decorate graves. What am I?
Answer: Flag raising ceremony
Riddle 19
Americans observe a national moment of what, honoring fallen military personnel? It happens 3 pm local time on Memorial Day.
Answer: Silence
Riddle 20
On Memorial Day the President or Vice President often gives a speech and leaves this at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. What is it?
Answer: Wreath
Memorial Day Activities and Celebrations Riddles
Riddle 21
On Memorial Day weekend this car race takes place. It is considered the largest single day sporting event. What famous race is it?
Answer: Indianapolis 500
Riddle 22
Memorial Day gives Americans a three day weekend. Many people kick off summer with this type of backyard event. What is it called?
Answer: BBQ or cookout
Riddle 23
On Memorial Day crowds line the streets to view these patriotic processions. Marching bands and veterans groups participate. What are they?
Answer: Parades
Riddle 24
To honor those who died serving their country, many volunteers place these small U.S. flags on the graves of fallen soldiers. What are they?
Answer: American flags
Riddle 25
On Memorial Day weekend, many people open these recreational spots. It signals the start of summer. What are they?
Answer: Public swimming pools
Memorial Day Facts Riddles
Riddle 26
Memorial Day honors those who died while serving in this branch of the armed forces. What is it?
Answer: U.S. military
Riddle 27
It became an official federal holiday in this year, over 100 years after the Civil War ended. What year was it?
Answer: 1971
Riddle 28
Memorial Day honors both Union and Confederate soldiers who died in this war between the states. What historic war was it?
Answer: The American Civil War
Riddle 29
Red poppies are used to honor fallen soldiers, inspired by this war poem written by a Canadian soldier. What is its title?
Answer: “In Flanders Fields”
Riddle 30
The National Moment of Remembrance occurs at 3pm local time across the U.S. It lasts this many seconds to honor the fallen. How long is it?
Answer: One minute or 60 seconds
Memorial Day Meaning and Significance Riddles
Riddle 31
Memorial Day is not just about honoring veterans and soldiers. It also symbolizes this broader idea about service and sacrifice for one’s country.
Answer: Patriotism
Riddle 32
Placing flowers on graves and parades represent this on Memorial Day – remembering and appreciating soldiers’ sacrifice.
Answer: Gratitude
Riddle 33
Memorial Day allows Americans to honor fallen soldiers who protected this intangible idea. What is it?
Answer: Freedom
Riddle 34
This word means preserving the memory of soldiers who died serving their country. It describes Memorial Day’s purpose.
Answer: Remembrance
Riddle 35
Memorial Day is a time for solemn reflection and appreciation of lives lost defending this. What intangible ideal is it?
Answer: Liberty
Flags and Soldiers’ Graves Riddles
Riddle 36
On Memorial Day, volunteers place U.S. flags next to headstones marking these. Cemeteries host events honoring fallen soldiers. What are they?
Answer: Soldiers’ graves
Riddle 37
Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and other volunteers honor fallen soldiers by placing U.S. flags at these sites. Where are they?
Answer: Cemeteries and graves
Riddle 38
The tradition of placing flags and flowers at these places on Memorial Day dates back to the first Decoration Day in 1868. Where are they?
Answer: Soldiers’ graves
Riddle 39
Wreaths, flowers and U.S. flags decorate these on Memorial Day, where fallen military members are laid to rest. What are they?
Answer: Graves of soldiers
Riddle 40
Volunteers honor fallen heroes by placing these at graves, often holding flag ceremonies. What are they?
Answer: American flags
Memorial Day Locations and Events Riddles
Riddle 41
In this city, a large Memorial Day parade takes place along Constitution Avenue. Wreaths are laid at veterans’ memorials.
Answer: Washington D.C.
Riddle 42
Rolling Thunder hosts a motorcycle rally in D.C. on Memorial Day to bring awareness to this issue concerning soldiers. What is it?
Answer: POWs and MIAs
Riddle 43
On Memorial Day, Air Force pilots perform an aerial salute called the “Missing Man” formation over this military cemetery. Which one?
Answer: Arlington National Cemetery
Riddle 44
In Philadelphia, Memorial Day events take place at this historic cemetery where many veterans are buried. What is its name?
Answer: Laurel Hill Cemetery
Riddle 45
Large Memorial Day parades are held in major cities like New York, Chicago and this Texas city. Which city hosts big parades?
Answer: Houston
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Riddles
Riddle 46
At Arlington National Cemetery, the President or Vice President deliver a speech and lay a wreath at this memorial on Memorial Day.
Answer: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Riddle 47
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was built in this war’s aftermath to honor unidentified fallen soldiers. Which war was it?
Answer: World War I
Riddle 48
At this memorial in Arlington National Cemetery, tombs contain remains of unidentified soldiers from wars. Wreaths are laid here on Memorial Day.
Answer: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Riddle 49
At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, you can watch soldiers from this elite regiment called the Old Guard. What is their nickname?
Answer: The Sentinels
Riddle 50
The Sentinels guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in all weather. They take how many steps when walking the mat in front of the tomb?
Answer: 21 steps
Memorial Day and Veterans Day Differences Riddles
Riddle 51
Memorial Day honors fallen soldiers who died serving their country while Veterans Day honors those who did what?
Answer: Served in the military
Riddle 52
Veterans Day honors all living veterans while Memorial Day honors deceased veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. What is that sacrifice?
Answer: Giving their life for their country
Riddle 53
Memorial Day and Veterans Day both honor the military, but Memorial Day specifically commemorates soldiers who did this in service. What is it?
Answer: Died or were killed
Riddle 54
While both honor the military, Veterans Day celebrates living veterans but Memorial Day honors those who died. How are they honored?
Answer: By decorating their graves, parades, memorial events
Riddle 55
Veterans Day honors all veterans, both living and dead, who served their country. Memorial Day honors veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. What sacrifice?
Answer: Gave their lives for their country
Conclusion
Memorial Day is an important United States federal holiday that honors fallen military members who died while serving their country. Its history dates back to the American Civil War when the day was originally known as Decoration Day. Over time, it was expanded to commemorate those who died in all wars. Today it is celebrated through parades, memorial ceremonies, decorating graves with flags and flowers, and more. These Memorial Day riddles cover facts about its history, traditions, significance, major events and symbols, as well as how it differs from Veterans Day. Honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and liberty is central to the meaning of Memorial Day.
