Many Americans are celebrating Memorial Day as time to be with family, grill out with lots of food and drinks, and by enjoying a day off of work. But 80 percent of Americans do not actually know the meaning of Memorial Day, according to Forbes.

Congress decided to give one more opportunity for America's fallen heroes to be remembered. In 2000, it passed The National Moment of Remembrance Act. The Act asks everyone to stop what they are doing for one minute at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day and pay their respects to the men and women who have died in the line of service. Congress chose 3 p.m. because it is the time when Americans are likely to be active on Memorial Day.

Memorial Day started as Decoration Day in 1868. It honored soldiers who died during the Civil War. This was the most number of soldiers that had ever died during a battle, and it is the reason national cemeteries were created. After World War I, Memorial Day changed to celebrating those who died in any war.

Since 1971, Memorial Day has been celebrated on the last Monday in May, Fox News reports.

On Monday at 3 p.m. to remember those who have paid for America's freedom, trains will blow their whistles, hundreds of thousands of Major League Baseball fans will pause for a moment of silence, cars will drive with their headlights on, people will wave American flags and "Taps" will play across America.

The Memorial Day Foundation recommends several ways to celebrate Memorial Day properly:

  • Visit cemeteries and bring flowers or flags to place on the graves of those who died in combat.
  • Fly the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.
  • Visit memorials.
  • Attend religious services.
  • Attend a Memorial Day Parade.

At the very least, Americans should definitely honor the fallen heroes by taking part in the moment of remembrance at 3 p.m. Monday.