Why Are So Many Minnesotans Wearing Red Poppies Today?

We've reached the unofficial kick-off to summer in Minnesota, Memorial Day weekend.

Nearly 60% of people have Memorial Day plans, according to a study from Numerator. The most popular ways people will celebrate are getting together with family and friends, firing up the grill for a barbecue, or going to a public event.

Memorial Day weekend offers a chance for much-needed relaxation and fun. No matter what you end up doing or where you end up going, you'll most likely see a bunch of red poppies on Friday and throughout the three-day weekend.

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Why Do We Celebrate Memorial Day?

Memorial Day is always the last Monday in May and is designated as a day to honor fallen service men and women. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs says Memorial Day dates back to 1868 and was "originally called Decoration Day."

The name was officially changed to Memorial Day in 1971, and "the modern proclamation calls on Americans "to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace."

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Why Are Red Poppies Popular on Memorial Day Weekend?

The tradition of red poppies and Memorial Day began with the poem "In Flanders Fields," written in 1915 by John McCrae. He witnessed red poppies growing on WWI battlefields.

The powerful poem inspired a professor named Moina Michael to start a campaign to make the poppy the official symbol of remembrance.

The American Legion says, "The red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since World War I to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars."

Now, the Friday before Memorial Day is National Red Poppy Day. Throughout the weekend, you'll see plenty of people with poppies pinned to their clothes. When you see them take a moment to remember our fallen heroes.