Memorial Day Weekend at National Constitution Center

All weekend long, the National Constitution Center honors Memorial Day by taking a closer look at famous memorials and monuments, and uncovering the complexities of how a nation remembers. In addition to access to all the Center's exhibits and artifacts, programming includes flag ceremonies, discussions on U.S. memorials through history and across the country, family-friendly workshops and lectures, as well as crafts for learners of all ages.

Schedule of Events

12:45 p.m.: Memorial Day History: Made and Re-Made in America Featuring Robert J. Kodosky
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For many Americans, Memorial Day marks the "unofficial start of summer," which stands in stark contrast to the intent of the holiday's 19th-century origins. First known as Decoration Day, the holiday served as a somber remembrance of those killed fighting during the nation's Civil War. In this program, Robert J. Kodosky, Ph.D., explores Memorial Day's history, the evolution of the holiday's meaning across time and place, and offers a chance to inform the ways Americans commemorate it today. As history department chair at West Chester University, Kodosky teaches courses in American military and diplomatic history and serves as the faculty adviser to the Student Veterans Group. In collaboration with his students, he published Tuskegee in Philadelphia: Rising to the Challenge.

How America Remembers
Join in a lively conversation and explore some of the most recognizable memorials and monuments in the United States, from the Lincoln Memorial and Little Bighorn, to the U.S.S. Arizona and the Vietnam War Memorial. Learn about the history of memorials, how memorials and monuments remember and honor the past, and consider why these memorials are important.

History of Memorial Day
This program explores the history of the Memorial Day observances in the U.S. Discover the holiday's origins in the Reconstruction Era—when it was known as "Decoration Day"—its expansion following World Wars I and II, and how it became an official holiday in the 1970s. The program also highlights how communities across the country observe Memorial Day.

History of the American Flag Show
How much do you know about the stars and stripes? Discover the history of the American flag during our interactive flag show. Together we'll uncover the flag's symbolism and learn how to properly raise, display, and fold the flag during a flag raising ceremony.

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Make a Memorial at Grand Hall Lobby
Can you think of a figure or event from history that needs to be remembered? Visit our creation station to design your own memorial for historic figures and historic events.

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Memorials Scavenger Hunt at Grand Hall Lobby
Take this map of Philadelphia memorials with you as you explore the city! Discover the stories of the soldiers, presidents, and historical freedom fighters memorialized in these statues.

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Poppy Pins at Grand Hall Lobby
How did poppies become the symbol of Veterans Day? Stop by our poppy pin station to uncover the connection between the poppy and the armed forces. Create your own poppy pin or wreath to honor our nation's fallen servicemembers.