The calendar may say that summer comes in June, but 65% of Americans say that Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of the summer season.

As students count down the days until school is out, 20% of Americans will be travelling this weekend.

Seventy-six percent (76%) expect to stay around home, but that doesn't mean they won't celebrate the holiday. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of all Americans plan to have a cookout with family and friends, 29% will watch or participate in a parade, and 27% will attend a memorial service.

Looking further ahead, most Americans (55%) plan on taking a summer vacation this year. Among those who will be vacationing this year, the most common plans are visiting relatives (29%), going to the beach (21%) and traveling within the United States (21%). Fouteen percent (14%) will go to the mountains, 7% will travel abroad, and 4% will stay at home for their vacation.

Going to the beach is the top vacation choice for adults under 30. Adults in their 30s and 40s are about as likely to go to the beach as visit relatives. Those over 50 are most likely to visit relatives for their vaction.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Americans say that the price of gasoline has impacted their travel plans.

Just 8% say that concerns about terrorism have impacted their plans.

Memorial Day was first officially celebrated on May 30, 1868 to honor those who died in the Civil War. Due to the divisions that remained in the nation at that time, Southern States did not celebrate the holiday until after World War I. Following that "War to end all wars", the observance was changed to recognize soldiers who had given their life in any war.

In 1971, Congress established the last Monday in May as Memorial Day to ensure a three-day weekend. This may have added to the changing focus of the holiday from honoring fallen servicemen and women to the "unofficial beginning of summer."