10 Fun Facts About Memorial Day

Here's ten fascinating facts about Memorial Day Weekend that mix serious reflection with a serious amount of fun.

1. Eight hundred-eighteen hot dogs are consumed every second from Memorial Day to Labor Day – that's 7 billion in total! Never too Hungover rehydrates the body and restores vital nutrients not found in hot dogs!

 

2. Memorial Day was formerly known as the Decoration Day.

3. The longest running Memorial Day parade takes place in the town of Ironton, southern Ohio, where they have had a parade every year since 1868.

4. Two of the biggest car races of the year, and major Memorial Day social events, will take place. The NASCAR Coca Cola 600 Race in Charlotte, North Carolina and the Indianapolis 500 in Indiana.

5. Etiquette dictates that Memorial Day Weekend is the perfect time to bring your party host or hostess a gift. Instead of the usual wine or beer? Stand out, be unique! Arrive with a case of DrinkAde so all the guests can celebrate the healthy way -- and wake up feeling their best and brightest the next morning.

 

 6. In 1971, Memorial Day became a Federal Holiday and in December 2000, Congress passed a law requiring Americans to pause at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day to remember and honor the fallen.

 

7. Around 62% of Americans plan to barbeque over the weekend. Unfortunately, 25% more home cooking fires than average happen on Memorial Day. Keep a close eye on your open fire and don't cook too near a building. Be sure to keep a fire extinguisher nearby, and a six-pack of Never Too Hungover in your ice chest or refrigerator.

 

 8. Memorial Day was first observed by placing flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers on May 30, 1868. After World War I, Memorial Day was changed from honoring Civil War dead to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war.

9. Attended by more than half a million people, The National Memorial Day Concert is performed on the west lawn of the US Capitol Building in D.C. to pay tribute to the Nation’s fallen soldiers.

 

10. On each Memorial Day, almost 40 million Americans travel more than 50 miles from their homes for the weekend, making the traffic on this holiday extremely heavy.