Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Once known as Decoration Day, the holiday commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in military service. While it was first enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (the reason why it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the Civil War), it has since been expanded (after World War I) to make it more relevant to modern living in the US. Thus, we now honor Americans who died in any service on Memorial Day.

The informal start to the summer season is marked on Memorial Day, as beach season officially opens along US coasts (at least along the East Coast). It’s the beginning of summer driving season as well, and the start to greater draws on gasoline inventory levels. You can monitor gasoline activity, by tuning in to Wall Street Greek on Wednesday’s, as we report on and analyze EIA energy data.

Memorial Day is an important holiday for patriotic Americans and everyone else as well, and so the stock market is closed to trading. In the past, the summer season would usually see a lull in trading volume, as vacation season swings into full gear. Your author recalls how much easier it was to get to Wall Street during summer, with schools closed, many on vacation and roads much clearer.

We hope you are enjoying your holiday and wish you a swell summer!

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