# When did Memorial Day become a fireworks holiday? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 26, 2014, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261 "2014-05-26T01:58:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/1 "2014-05-26T01:58:37Z")
There’s all kinds of heavy duty fireworks being set off in the neighborhood. I don’t recall this from past MDs. Give a vet PTSD? My elderly, sick dog is a wreck! Thanks assholes! ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/2 "2014-05-26T02:02:01Z")
I haven’t seen that yet. Sounds like your neighborhood is ahead of a very obnoxious curve. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/3 "2014-05-26T02:20:06Z")
She’s hiding in the bathtub at the moment. I planned to get her some tranks for the Fourth Of July. Didn’t think I’d need to for Memorial Day. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/4 "2014-05-26T02:30:59Z")
The grocery store I work at put out a display of Black Cat noisemakers on Friday. We’ve sold a decent amount of them. ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/5 "2014-05-26T02:39:43Z")
Yeah, we haven’t had that around here yet. Not even exploding firecrackers depicted on the sales papers. Maybe enough people are old enough to remember when this was called Decoration Day, when families went to the cemeteries and pulled weeds from around the plots of fallen soldiers, set out new flowers, and spread out a picnic right there on the grounds, basically visiting with the living and the dead alike. It was a continuum, respect for what they gave and not forgotten. I think I’d have to go out in the street and look for the clueless person lighting the fuse. ---
**Author:** ![Zulema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/db5fbb/32.png) [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/6 "2014-05-26T15:51:23Z")
I noticed that last night too. My first thought was how disrespectful it is to recreate the sound effects of war for a holiday about those who died from battle. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/7 "2014-05-26T16:19:29Z")
Probably around the same time July 4th became ‘worship the military day’. Haven’t heard any fireworks yet this weekend, which is unusual, because nobody loves them some fireworks like Portland. People hoard them and set them off at random; as a war vet, I really don’t need the adrenaline rush. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/8 "2014-05-26T16:23:24Z")
It’s clearly the insidious influence of Victoria Day\* coming down from the north. Fireworks for the Queen’s Birthday! \*Also known as “May Two-Four”, the traditional date to open up the cottage and drink beer (not necessarily in that order). ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/9 "2014-05-26T16:35:20Z")
Do you get those morons who shoot off fireworks while it’s still light out? I don’t mean dusk, I mean four or five in the afternoon. I know at night I need to comfort the dog, but who expects fireworks in broad daylight? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/10 "2014-05-26T16:37:38Z")
Holy crap. I almost posted this exact topic, but was afraid everyone else has always had fireworks on this day. For the record, I am in Southeastern Michigan and have really noticed the fireworks this year. It’s annoying…much like folks who still set off fireworks way, way after July 4. When did this all start? And thanks for not being the only one to wonder! ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/11 "2014-05-26T16:41:29Z")
One of my neighbors was setting off fireworks around 9:30-10 last night, just as I was going to bed. It did surprise me; they usually save them for the first week or so of July–not just the 4th. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/12 "2014-05-26T23:11:09Z")
Middle of Akron, Ohio. Never saw it. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/13 "2014-05-26T23:19:39Z")
Near Boston, never heard of this. ---
**Author:** ![VernWinterbottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c67d28/32.png) [@VernWinterbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VernWinterbottom)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/14 "2014-05-27T00:00:16Z")
Fifty miles from Boston. Yes, there were some firecrackers and small fireworks in the neighborhood this weekend. Every holiday is now an excuse to party and be obnoxious. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/15 "2014-05-27T00:19:37Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#): > > There’s all kinds of heavy duty fireworks being set off in the neighborhood. I don’t recall this from past MDs. > > Give a vet PTSD? > > My elderly, sick dog is a wreck! > > Thanks assholes! My first thoughts when reading the subject was… \*\* Dog Owner\*\* Beyond that I have nothin’ (for now 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/16 "2014-05-27T00:43:33Z")
They are at it again tonight. Again, my dog is freaking out. I hope this doesn’t become a new tradition. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/17 "2014-05-27T07:08:10Z")
San Francisco Bay Area. I’ve never seen it here, and I hope I never do. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/18 "2014-05-27T13:20:59Z")
One of the neighbors set off a few firecrackers about 9pm last night. Totally without any warning or context…they had a party this weekend, but on Sunday. Monday night there was nothing going on and then BOOM! Very annoying. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/19 "2014-05-27T17:43:04Z")
There were a few booms over the weekend but nothing sustained. Bunch of morons in my neighborhood who have no idea what Memorial Day means. Just a “holiday” and therefore a reason to set off fireworks. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-memorial-day-become-a-fireworks-holiday/689261/20 "2014-05-27T18:46:22Z")
If you’re talking about people from around the neighborhood shooting off fireworks locally, I never noticed this becoming a “thing” on Memorial Day, although I can think of two reasons why it would have started recently; first, for some reason, stores that carry July 4 fireworks tend to start having them available now; and second, it may be kids celebrating the end of the school year, as more and more schools seem to be shifting from “Labor Day to mid-June” years to “mid-August to Memorial Day” (which, among other things, allows for semesters to end in December, so you don’t have the winter break followed by finals right away). I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few organized / community fireworks displays as well, possibly in conjunction with a community picnic of some sort.