Traditional Memorial Day is celebrated in the USA

Traditionally, on the last Monday of May, residents of the United States pay tribute to the memory of those who fell during the performance of military duty — Memorial Day is celebrated in the country.

While in many cities parades, patriotic concerts and solemn ceremonies are held in memory of the fallen soldiers, some prefer to devote this day to quiet reflections on those who died in military service.

On Sunday, thousands of motorcyclists drove across Washington as part of the annual Rolling Thunder motor rally, designed to draw attention to the fate of prisoners of war and missing military personnel.

US President Barack Obama yesterday dedicated his weekly address to “Memorial Day,” paying tribute to the military who died for their country.

Obama said this year's holiday has special significance because it is the first "Memorial Day" since the end of the war in Afghanistan.

The first large Memorial Day event took place at Arlington Cemetery in 1868, three years after the bloody Civil War in which more than 600 people died.

Most Americans are not working and studying this Monday, so this three-day weekend at the end of May is considered to be the unofficial start of the summer holiday season. Many families have picnics these days, go to the beach or to the park or go out into the countryside with tents.