National Memo Day on May 21 has us getting our pens, notes, and typing skills sharp and ready. A memo is any piece of important information that is penned or typed down to be sent to a group of people. There are several different forms of a memo (i.e. formal, informal, policy making, etc.), and the usage of each depends on the context of the situation and the people involved. Memos have been used for a long time. From having been employed in kingdom courts to being used in war times by generals, the memo, in the modern-day and age, has become more and more exclusive to the business world.
History of National Memo Day
The National Memo Day was first celebrated in 1989 by KMJI Majic Radio. The KMJI Majic Radio station is on 100.3 FM, and it is located in Denver, Colorado. The purpose of the day was to raise awareness about the memos that are being used by people in businesses. Tracing the word’s origin, it comes from the Latin word ‘memorandum’, which means ‘it must be remembered.’ People have been using memos to convey messages and plans of action for centuries. At some point, memos were used to tell people about the changes in laws of a kingdom. And in other times, memos were used to inform soldiers and other military personnel about the next move. Memos have also had the reputation of falling into the wrong hands, resulting in disastrous outcomes.
In modern times, the memo genre has become synonymous with businesses. Information related to meetings, policy changes, contracts, etc. is relayed through memos. Such forms of internal communications have different formats and templates. However, usually many memos will start with ‘Memos’ as the heading followed by ‘Subject’, ‘To’, and ‘From’ lines. Furthermore, depending on the subject and the context of the situation, the main content of a memo will be limited to either a few lines or a few pages since only the most crucial information should be included in the memo. But it is also to be noted that some memos have several pages. For example, a Memorandum of Understanding, also known as an MoU, is an agreement of many pages between two companies or more. The MoU will contain each of the companies’ roles, goals, etc.
National Memo Day timeline
Memo becomes a new genre of letter writing with the word being first used in the late 1870s, and then gaining traction in the early 1880s.
Memorandums become much more popular and common due to a rapid increase in globalization and the changing political/social global landscapes.
Hamilton Jordan, an American politician, makes a presidential campaign memo that is later on used by President Jimmy Carter for his presidency strategy.
Steve Jobs releases a memo outlining achievements for Apple’s top 100 leaders event.
National Memo Day FAQs
When does National Memo Day take place?
The National Memo Day takes place on May 21 every year.
What is a memo?
A memo is a set of information that is relayed to the relevant group of people. Memos are usually used by businesses.
What is the main purpose of a memo?
A memo conveys information. It can outline problems or have proposed solutions.
How To Celebrate National Memo Day
Brush up on memo skills
Improve your memo-writing skills by practicing with old formats and new ones. Make your memos more concise and shorter. Do some research on what makes a great memo by locating your target audience, your memo goals, etc.
Send a memo
This is a perfect opportunity to send a memo if you’ve never sent one. You can send out fun get-together memos to your friends and family. It’s a win-win situation because not only will you be meeting up with your loved ones, but it’s also a unique way to utilize the memo writing genre.
Read up on memo history
You will find several interesting facts about memos in history. By researching, you will be able to see how memos have evolved over the centuries, and how they have impacted and changed the course of human history.
5 Facts About Letter Writing That Will Blow Your Mind
Expensive paper remedies
In the past, paper was so expensive that, in order to save money, people would fold their letters and seal them using wax.
Babylonians’ clay envelopes
The ancient Babylonians invented envelopes, and they did so by molding clay into an envelope shape.
Writing letters are healthy
Writing a letter by hand has several health benefits like reduced stress, less eye strain, improved motor skills, etc.
Roman’s usage of posts
The Roman emperor, Trajan, had several chariot men posted at close intervals throughout his kingdom solely for the purpose of swiftly delivering important information.
Pigeon letter deliveries
South Asians trained and used pigeons to deliver letters over short and long distances.
Why We Love National Memo Day
It’s a celebration of history
Humans have known the usage of memos for a long time now. It is through memos that important changes have taken place in history. We can track and learn a lot from how memos were composed, delivered, and received.
It’s a celebration of human evolution
Inventions are constantly being upgraded to provide better services and experiences. The same is the case with the memo. Since its inception, it has had countless formats, templates, and genre changes. The memo evolution showcases humans’ creativity and how it helped during changing times.
It’s a celebration of discipline
Memo writing came from the letter-writing genre, with it finally settling into the business model. Businesses often require a set of rules and regulations that must be adhered to at all costs. Set memo formats and templates allow for the discipline to be followed.
National Memo Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | May 21 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | May 21 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | May 21 | Thursday |
| 2027 | May 21 | Friday |
| 2028 | May 21 | Sunday |
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