The Memorial Day travel rush is on. DALLAS (AP) — People began loading up their cars and jumping on planes across the U.S. on Thursday as the long Memorial Day weekend kicked off. Even as politics and the nation's aging air traffic infrastructure rattle the U.S. travel industry, Americans were expected to get away in record numbers.

Memorial Day stems from the aftermath of the Civil War, when Americans sought ways to honor the loss of life from that catastrophic war that resulted in the death of at least 2 percent of the population at the time, according to the website of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Once again, you will need the umbrella and coat with you on Friday in the Philadelphia region. Scattered showers are possible during the morning and evening commutes, but there is no flooding threat.

Here is when and where Memorial Day traffic will be the worst in Massachusetts, according to reports from MassDOT and AAA.

We’re seeing blowout deals from top TV brands ahead of Memorial Day.

Memorial Day weekend has finally arrived! In celebration of the much-anticipated holiday, retailers everywhere are already pulling out all the stops when it comes to sales. The weekend has barely begun and we're already seeing major discounts on everything from TVs and headphones to patio furniture and apparel.

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Memorial Day is a U.S. holiday that’s supposed to be about mourning the nation’s fallen service members, but it’s come to anchor the unofficial start of summer and a long weekend of travel and discounts on anything from mattresses to lawn mowers.

Though for some the federal holiday, which falls on May 26 this year, also signals the unofficial start of summer, there’s much more to know and value about Memorial Day — from its origins

Here’s a list of events happening in the Tri-State this weekend: Vietnam Veterans of America’s Clermont County Chapter 649 is holding its 33rd annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Union Township Veteran’s Memorial Park May 26.

It looks like an unsettled weather pattern will take hold across Texas Monday through much of next week, so showers and storms are likely each day. Memorial Day itself looks breezy and humid with scattered showers and a few storms.