Forty-four percent (44%) of Americans say Memorial Day, which honors those who gave their lives for our country, is one of the nation's most important holidays.

Just seven percent (7%) rate it as one of the least important holidays, while 47% say it's somewhere in between the two, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. These figures are largely the same as last year's.

The holiday is viewed as one of the most important one by 51% of those who have served in the U.S. military. Older Americans hold Memorial Day in higher regard than those who are younger.

As the nation honors those who lost their lives in military service, 75% of Americans have a favorable opinion of the U.S. military.

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The majority of all Americans (51%) plan to do something special to commemorate the day. That figure is up three points from last year. Twenty-nine percent (29%) say they have no plans for Memorial Day.

Again, those who served in the military (56%) are more likely to mark the day than those who have not served (51%).

Twenty-three percent (23%) of all adults say they will attend a Memorial Day service. Among military veterans, 36% plan to attend such a service as opposed to 20% of those who have not served in the armed forces.

This year’s most popular Memorial Day pastime is hosting a cookout with friends and family. Most (51%) adults plan to fire up the grill. Men (54%) are more likely to host a cookout this year than women (48%).

Only 27% of Americans say they’ll watch or participate in a parade this Memorial Day. Adults ages 18 to 29 are more likely to be involved with a parade than any other age group.

Memorial Day was first officially celebrated following the Civil War, but at the end of World War I, the observance was expanded to honor all U.S. military personnel who have given their lives for the country.

In 1971, Congress set Memorial Day on the last Monday in May to make it part of a three-day weekend. This helps to explain why 67% of Americans now view Memorial Day as the official start of summer, even though the season doesn't really begin until June.

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