6 WAYS TO HONOR MEMORIAL DAY

"THEY HAVE EARNED OUR UNDYING GRATITUDE. AMERICA WILL NEVER FORGET THEIR SACRIFICES."

– President Harry S. Truman

Pause for a moment of silence at 3 p.m. your local time for the National Moment of Remembrance.

Wear a red poppy, the traditional flower worn to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice. Visit "The Buck Stops Here" store at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum for apparel and gift items featuring this emblem of remembrance.

Explore the Truman Library's all-new Museum with younger members of your family. The stories of courage and sacrifice found in the Museum are the stories of every American family. A visit to the dramatic new Museum is a great way to bring those stories to life.

Visit the gravesite of President Truman, America's 33rd commander in chief. Located in the tranquil courtyard of the Truman Library, there is no admission charge to visit the presidential gravesite.

Make a tax-deductible donation in memory of a friend or family member who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Every gift supports the award-winning educational programs at the Truman Library.

Remember our fallen, and pray for peace.

A Word from Harry

On May 28, 1948, President Truman designated the hour beginning at 8 p.m. ET as a period in which all the citizens of the United States might unite in prayer for peace. In so doing, Harry S. Truman, who had known war both as a soldier and commander in chief, expanded Memorial Day from a day of remembrance to include the pursuit of a lasting, universal peace between nations and people. His presidential proclamation read, in part:

Memorial Day each year provides a fitting occasion upon which American citizens, who have ever been devoted to the ways of peace, may direct their attention to the human losses resulting from the ravages of war. From the sacred memory of beloved friends and relatives who were sacrificed in the ordeal of battle, we may derive inspiration for renewed prayers and redoubled exertions in a mighty striving for peace....Mankind has not yet found the long-sought basis of an unbreakable, righteous peace. In all humility we wish to acknowledge our need for divine guidance. I call upon the people of the United States to observe Memorial Day by praying to Almighty God, each in accordance with his religious faith, that permanent peace may prevail among men.

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This is a day for sharing stories.

The all-new Museum experience – created by the award-winning design team that brought us the International Spy Museum and the National World War II Museum in New Orleans – offers an unimaginably rich experience to share with family and loved ones. From The Great War to World War II, the Cold War to the Korean War, and the fight for civil rights at home, the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum shares the stories of every American family. Peril and perseverance. Tragedy and triumph. Conviction and courage. It's all here. Step into the story, and start a conversation about your own family's heroes.

Plan Your Visit

Not just today. All year long.

There’s so much to explore at the all-new Museum, you’ll want to return again and again – and share the award-winning experience with others! Annual memberships start at just $35, and benefits include Museum Store discounts, special events, and unlimited free admission at the Truman Library and ALL presidential libraries operated by the National Archives.

Choose Your Member Benefits