In what had long been celebrated every May 30 to honor America's fallen soldiers, Memorial Day officially became a federal holiday in 1971, observed on the last Monday in May.
Businesses increasingly have chosen to stay open on the holiday, leading to what is now one of the biggest retail sales and travel weekends of the year.
Here's what is open and closed this year on Memorial Day:
Government offices, post offices, courts and schools are closed.
U.S. stock markets and banks are closed Monday.
Most FedEx and UPS pickup and delivery services will also not be available on Memorial Day.
Warehouse membership club Costco said it would close on Memorial Day, but the vast majority of retailers will be open, with many trying to lure customers with big promotional sales. Hours may vary by location.
Memorial Day is also considered the unofficial opening of the summer travel season. Auto club AAA projects 43.8 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the holiday travel period, an increase of 4% from last year. If those projections are accurate, that would come close to 2005’s record of 44 million Memorial Day weekend travelers.
AAA projects 38.4 million people will travel by car over the weekend — the highest number for that holiday since AAA began tracking it in 2000 — and that another 3.5 million people will travel by air.
FILE - Letters and packages are loaded on a U.S. Postal Service truck parked outside a post office in Wheeling, Ill., Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. As many Americans celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, May 27, 2024, there are several stores, government offices and businesses that will be open or closed. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
FILE - A Macy's department store is in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York, on Tuesday, Dec.12, 2023. As many Americans celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, May 27, 2024, there are several stores, government offices and businesses that will be open or closed.(AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
FILE - Chase Bank ATMs are shown, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in New York. As many Americans celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, May 27, 2024, there are several stores, government offices and businesses that will be open or closed. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
A shopper moves past a display of items in a Costco warehouse Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Sheridan, Colo. As many Americans celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, May 27, 2024, there are several stores, government offices and businesses that will be open or closed.(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Celtics took another big lead and didn't let it slip away. The Timberwolves had to rally in the fourth quarter.
And now, Game 4s in the NBA conference semifinals await — with New York, Minnesota, Indiana and Denver holding 2-1 series leads.
Boston — which wasted 20-point leads in Games 1 and 2 against the Knicks — led by as many as 31 points and never trailed in its Game 3 win at New York on Saturday. That was followed by Minnesota holding off Golden State, which was without Stephen Curry because of a hamstring injury and then lost Draymond Green in the fourth quarter after he fouled out.
On Sunday, a pair of Game 4s are on the slate: East No. 1 seed Cleveland at Indiana, and West No. 1 seed Oklahoma City at Denver.
All times Eastern
3:30 p.m. — Oklahoma City at Denver (ABC)
8 p.m. — Cleveland at Indiana (TNT)
All times Eastern
7:30 p.m. — Boston at New York (ESPN)
10 p.m. — Minnesota at Golden State (ESPN)
All times Eastern
7 p.m. — Indiana at Cleveland (TNT/truTV/Max)
9:30 p.m. — Denver at Oklahoma City (TNT/truTV/Max)
Oklahoma City (+175) continues to be favored to win the NBA title, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, followed by Boston (+250).
Cleveland (+500) is next, followed by Minnesota (+900), Denver (+1000), New York (+1700), Indiana (+2500) and Golden State (+5500).
There's no word yet on when the NBA will announce this season's MVP. It'll be Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver's Nikola Jokic or Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Also coming in the next few weeks: the All-NBA, All-Rookie and All-Defensive teams.
Other awards so far:
— Oklahoma City's Sam Presti won executive of the year.
— Cleveland's Kenny Atkinson won coach of the year. He also won the same award from the National Basketball Coaches Association.
— Boston's Jrue Holiday won the social justice award and the sportsmanship award.
— Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels won most improved player.
— San Antonio's Stephon Castle won rookie of the year.
— Golden State's Stephen Curry won the Twyman-Stokes teammate of the year award.
— Golden State's Draymond Green won the hustle award.
— Cleveland’s Evan Mobley won defensive player of the year.
— New York's Jalen Brunson won clutch player of the year.
— Boston's Payton Pritchard won sixth man of the year.
The highest-scoring games by players so far in this year's playoffs:
48 — Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland vs. Indiana, May 6
43 — Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland vs. Indiana, May 9
43 — Jamal Murray, Denver vs. LA Clippers, April 29
43 — Anthony Edwards, Minnesota vs. LA Lakers, April 27
42 — Nikola Jokic, Denver at Oklahoma City, May 5
40 — Jalen Brunson, New York at Detroit, May 1
39 — Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers at Denver, April 21
Monday — Draft lottery, Chicago.
May 18 or 20 — Game 1, Western Conference finals.
May 19 or 21 — Game 1, Eastern Conference finals.
June 2 — Last possible date for Game 7 of Eastern Conference finals.
June 3 — Last possible date for Game 7 of the Western Conference finals.
June 5 — Game 1, NBA Finals. (Other games: June 8, June 11, June 13, June 16, June 19 and Game 7, if necessary, will be June 22.)
June 25 — NBA draft, first round.
June 26 — NBA draft, second round.
— Preview of Sunday's games: Cavaliers-Pacers and Thunder-Nuggets.
— Mitchell Robinson can't make a free throw. Knicks fans cheered him anyway.
— Timberwolves say fan was ejected for conduct toward Draymond Green.
— Pat Riley speaks: On Heat future, on Jimmy Butler, on being 80
— Tyrese Haliburton was willing to pay a fine. The NBA warned him instead.
— These are the playoffs of the big comeback, where no 20-point lead is safe.
— Gregg Popovich's new job: ‘El Jefe’
— Spurs coach Gregg Popovich steps down.
— Mitch Johnson takes over for Pop in San Antonio.
— Appreciation: Gregg Popovich changed the NBA.
— Grizzlies promote Iisalo to head coach, remove interim tag.
— A look inside the numbers of this season, headed into the playoffs
There have been five wins by teams that trailed by 20 points or more so far in these playoffs. That's the most in any postseason during the play-by-play era, which started with the 1997 playoffs.
The biggest deficits that were successfully overcome:
29 — Oklahoma City at Memphis, April 24 (Thunder won 114-108)
20 — Indiana vs. Milwaukee, April 29 (Pacers won 119-118)
20 — New York at Boston, May 5 (Knicks won 108-105)
20 — Indiana at Cleveland, May 6 (Pacers won 120-119)
20 — New York at Boston, May 7 (Knicks won 91-90)
— The Knicks have faced deficits of 20 or more points in six games against Boston this season. Against the rest of the league, the Knicks have trailed by 20 or more six times combined.
— There have been 55 playoff games so far this year. Home teams won 28, road teams won 27.
— Julius Randle had a triple-double for Minnesota on Saturday. He's now the second player to have one in the playoffs for the Timberwolves; Kevin Garnett did it three times, most recently in 2004.
“You've got to beat us four times. That’s what it comes down to. Not twice, not once, not three. You've got to win four games. So, it's a lot of basketball to be played.” — Boston's Jaylen Brown, after the Celtics closed within 2-1 of the Knicks with their win Saturday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
Draymond Green (23) and Jonathan Kuminga (00) reacts to a foul call while guarding Anthony Edwards (5) in the first half as the Golden State Warriors played the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of the Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs at Chase Center in San Francisco., on Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Spike Lee reacts during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics, Saturday, May 10, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (1) celebrates a three point basket during the second half of Game 3 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) loses the ball as he is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, right, during the second half of Game 3 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs in Indianapolis, Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook applauds as time runs out in overtime of Game 3 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday, May 9, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, back, celebrates after making a basket with forward Michael Porter Jr. in overtime of Game 3 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday, May 9, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) goes up for a dunk during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors, Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) goes up for a dunk as Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11), back, defends during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Golden State Warriors' Pat Spencer (61) goes head over heals on an offensive charge after colliding with Minnesota Timberwolves' Terrance Shannon (00) in the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Minneapolis. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, center, shoots between Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (1) and forward Isaac Okoro (35) in the second half during Game 2 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson celebrates after hitting a 3-point basket against the Boston Celtics during Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Monday, May 5, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) takes an elbow to the back of the head from Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic (15) in the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Monday, May 5, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton (0) goes to the basket in front of Cleveland Cavaliers' Dean Wade (32) in the first half of Game 1 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) gestures after making a basket against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
From left to right, Los Angeles Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, forward Kawhi Leonard and guard Ben Simmons look on as time runs out in Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets,Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson has his shot blocked by Golden State Warriors forward Braxton Key (12) during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, April 30, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon shoots during the second half in Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers, Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, takes the ball away from Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Friday, May 2, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
On his three-point attempt, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is fouled by Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) in the third quarter of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Friday, May 2, 2025, in San Francisco. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Minnesota Timberwolves co-owner Alex Rodriguez, left, questions a non call as Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves looks on during the second half in Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry watches from the bench during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla encourages his players during the first half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Orlando Magic, Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, center, tries to argue a non-call after the New York Knicks won Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in Detroit, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (David Guralnick/Detroit News via AP)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) celebrates after making a 3-point shot during the second half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Indiana Pacers' Myles Turner (33) reacts after dunking over Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) scores against the Miami Heat during the second half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) shoots the ball past Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) during the first half in Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, bottom, and Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) reach for a rebound during the first half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets in San Francisco, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis reacts after scoring a basket during the second half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) gestures after making a 3-point shot during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero celebrates a 3-point shot against the Boston Celtics during the first half in game 3 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series,, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Chris Paul, right, gestures as Bob Iger looks on during the first half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, center, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, left, and center Ivica Zubac defend during the second half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates with teammates during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Detroit Pistons, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant looks on from the bench in the first half of Game 3 of an NBA first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren dunks during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) celebrates after a basket against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of a first-round NBA basketball playoff game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) goes to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) and forward Jaden McDaniels (3) during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff in Los Angeles, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Memphis Grizzlies interim coach Tuomas Iisalo looks up during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown leaves the court after defeating the Orlando Magic in game 1 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) celebrates in front of teammate Sam Merrill in the second half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) dunks during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets in Houston, Sunday, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns hugs his dad, Karl Towns, Sr., following Game 1 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Detroit Pistons, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Indiana Pacers' Andrew Nembhard (2) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the first half of a first-round NBA basketball playoff game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray gestures to the crowd after hitting a 3-point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second half of Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Alex Rodriguez, co-owner, of the Minnesota Timberwolves, claps during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series Los Angeles Lakers, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves, left, and forward LeBron James celebrate at the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Fans react as Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) fights for the ball in overtime of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Friday, April 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic sits on the bench looking up at a video that was played in the arena as a tribute to the former Mavericks player before an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)