Millions Flock to Santa Monica Bay Beaches for Memorial Day

About 2,500,000 people swam, baked, lay in the sun and otherwise frolicked on Memorial Day on Santa Monica Beach. The numbers however, appeared to be less than 2015, perhaps influenced by an apparent shark attack in Newport Beach.

Traffic officers and city staff were posted at busy intersections and in and out of parking structures to help keep streets downtown clear of gridlock. They had been told to expect greater than usual crowds, in part because of the opening of the Metro line train ten days ago.

The City's Woodlawn Cemetery hosted the 78th Annual Memorial Day Observance on May 30, 2016 at 11 am. Local civic groups and dignitaries, including Mayor Tony Vasquez and Assistant City Manager Elaine Polachek, helped celebrate the day. Highlights included a Condor Squadron military flyover and music by the John Adams Middle School Choir and the Patriot Brass Ensemble.

Memorial day is the traditional start of summer vacation in America, and school districts have tended toward earlier and earlier release dates for last days of school. Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District and Los Angeles Unified School Districts are, however, still in session, the last day of school being June 9, 2016.

The term Memorial Day was first used in 1882. It became more common after World War II and was declared the official name by act of Congress in 1952.