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US honours war dead on Memorial Day US honours war dead on Memorial Day
(about 3 hours later)
Americans are observing Memorial Day, which commemorates US soldiers fallen in the Civil War and beyond - and which launches the summer holiday season.Americans are observing Memorial Day, which commemorates US soldiers fallen in the Civil War and beyond - and which launches the summer holiday season.
President Barack Obama will host families who have lost children in war and later lay a wreath in Arlington National Cemetery. President Barack Obama laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington DC.
The US observes a national minute of silence to honour the war dead at 15:00 local time (19:00 GMT). Mr Obama said America must remember its citizens are still serving, even though the war in Iraq is over and troops are withdrawing from Afghanistan.
As many as 35 million Americans were expected to travel this weekend. Americans observe the day with parades, visits to family, and barbecues.
US government offices and most private businesses, the stock markets and banks are all closed today. As many as 35 million Americans were expected to travel this weekend, according to AAA, a motorists association.
"Today most Americans are not directly touched by war," Mr Obama told veterans and military families gathered at the cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
"They may not fully grasp the depth of sacrifice, the profound costs that are made in our name."
The US has 60,000 troops still serving in Afghanistan.
All dead honoured
The US observes a national minute of silence to honour the war dead at 15:00 local time (on the east coast, 19:00 GMT).
US government offices and most private businesses, the stock markets and banks are all closed on Monday.
Memorial Day was founded soon after the US Civil War, the conflict that raged 1861-65 between the southern slave-holding states and the northern free states.Memorial Day was founded soon after the US Civil War, the conflict that raged 1861-65 between the southern slave-holding states and the northern free states.
As many as 750,000 men died in the conflict, equivalent in proportion to 7.5 million dead in 2012.As many as 750,000 men died in the conflict, equivalent in proportion to 7.5 million dead in 2012.
'Seeds of peace'
The war ended in 1865 with the surrender of the southern, or Confederate forces, to the Union army; slavery was officially abolished by constitutional amendment that year.The war ended in 1865 with the surrender of the southern, or Confederate forces, to the Union army; slavery was officially abolished by constitutional amendment that year.
Since its founding in 1866, the Memorial Day remembrance has come to honour the US dead in all wars, from its war of independence from Britain through Afghanistan.Since its founding in 1866, the Memorial Day remembrance has come to honour the US dead in all wars, from its war of independence from Britain through Afghanistan.
"On Memorial Day, we remember those we have lost not only for what they fought for, but who they were: proud Americans, often far too young, guided by deep and abiding love for their families, for each other, and for this country," Mr Obama said in a proclamation on Friday.
"Above all, we can honor those we have lost by living up to the ideals they died defending. It is our charge to preserve liberty, to advance justice, and to sow the seeds of peace."
Americans observe Memorial Day with parades, visits to family and friends, and outdoor barbecues.