Memorial Day 2011: Observe the National Moment of Remembrance

Honor fallen soldiers on Memorial Day by observing the National Moment of Remembrance. The National Moment of Remembrance, endorsed by President Clinton in 2000, takes place every Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m. local time. At that time, all Americans are urged to observe a moment of silence or to listen to "Taps," in tribute to those who died for our country.

Prompted by a group of school children who didn't understand that the holiday had significance beyond being a day off from school, the moment of remembrance is intended to remind Americans of the true meaning of the holiday and "unite the nation in acknowledging the contributions made by the men and women who gave their lives for our country's freedom."

In 1971, federal law changed the observance of the holiday to the last Monday in May and extended it to honor all who had died in American wars.


Videographer: OtakuBozu; Battle Hymn of the Republic: Soloist Ms. Sherry Hunt; the late Dr. Nathan Carter, Conductor; Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Videographer: OtakuBozu; Soloist: the late countertenor Earnest Saunders; Conductor, the late Dr. Nathan Carter and Morgan State University Choir.

Videographer: PBS; Under the direction of J. Weldon Norris, DM, the Howard University Choir sings "Lord, I Don' Done" in this web-exclusive clip from their performance at the White House.

Videographer: robdayungstar; Morehouse College Glee Club, "My Good Lord's-A-Done-A Been Here"

Fisk University Jubilee Singers: "Rise, Shine, For Thy Light is a' Comin'" at Carnegie Hall.

Videographer: CharlieBladeRemus; Livingstone College Concert Choir: "Oh How I Love Jesus" by Shelton Becton

Videographer: tdavidray; The Dillard University Concert Choir performs Moses Hogan's arrangement of "My God Is So High." Soloist is Alvarez Kennedy.

Videographer: jaredbbrownmusic; Bethune Cookman University Marching Wildcats Band; Soloist: Jared Brown

Videographer: FtnessFan; Florida A&M University Wind Ensemble and the Marching "100" perform the late Dr. William P. Foster's favorite song - "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral," by Richard Wagner. Conductor: Dr. Julian E. White at historic Lee Hall Auditorium, Florida A&M University.