From 1971 onwards, the Memorial Day holiday was officially observed on the last Monday in May and became the unofficial start of the summer, with barbecues, blockbuster movie openings and mattress sales.

Summary

This quote highlights the transformation of Memorial Day from its original purpose of honoring fallen soldiers to a more commercialized holiday. It mentions the shift in the date of observance to the last Monday in May, which allowed for an extended weekend. The quote then emphasizes how Memorial Day has come to be associated with summer-related activities like barbecues, movie releases, and sales. This portrayal signifies a departure from the solemn remembrance of the past and the elevation of more leisure-oriented activities in the collective consciousness.

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