day · fixed · day 141 of 365

National Memo Day

Send someone a memo to let them know it’s National Memo Day! This time-honored method of passing on information has helped offices run for generations.

Items & Things Reading & Writing Stationery28

Marketing angleinferred

Celebrate the nostalgia and efficiency of memos with office supply and productivity brands targeting workplace professionals and small business owners.

Relevance 28low intent

Throwback: How memos shaped workplace communication before email
DIY memo templates and creative memo-writing tips for teams
Office supply giveaway: Stock up on notepads and sticky notes for memo season

History

National Memo Day was founded more than 35 years ago, in 1989, by radio station KMJI Majic which (at the time) was found at FM 100.3 in Denver, Colorado.

It was a sort of tongue-in-cheek way to celebrate those pesky little pieces of paper that would clog up offices and desks in the American Workplace. Of course, this was before email changed the whole world of memos!

As for the actual memo, the history of this little note goes back much further than you might suspect. The word ‘memo’ comes from the latin ‘memorandum’ a word that means, appropriately enough ‘It must be remembered’.

The purpose of a Memo was to aid memory by putting notification of events and observations in written communication.

Originally this was done with hand-written communication, and then developed with mechanical writing forms like the printing press, typewriter, and printer, and now into the digital age with email!

It can sometimes be forgotten that before the world of instant messaging and emailing that the world revolved around physical communications.

The term memorandum has become so fundamental to business and other official communications that there are specifically classified forms of memorandums.

Consider the Policy briefing note: this little memo actually serves an incredibly vital role in the development of policy by judicial and governmental bodies. Once a political analysis of a situation or condition has been done, it’s transmitted to those who make the decisions in the form of a policy briefing note!

That means every day our lives are affected in countless ways by memos, and you definitely have not seen all the ways in which a memo impacts your life on a daily basis. Whether you get a raise, a particular product gets developed, or that zoning request goes through could all be determined by the humble memo.

Ever been in a court case? Prior to your actual day in court, information was provided to the judge in the form of a ‘bench memorandum’, containing a brief overview of the case including lawyer’s arguments and other information needed to come to a decision about the case as a whole.

How to celebrate

Write a Memo

To celebrate National Memo Day, it all starts with sending someone a memo! It really is that simple. Whether it’s in the form of a Post-It note on the fridge, a message in their lunchbox reminding them of a Doctor’s appointment, or an email to your boss reminding him to send out the memos to the rest of your co-workers, make sure you get a memo out today! But, this all may be great, but you may be wondering how do you write one?

Brush Up on Memo Skills

The format of a memo is simple. You write “Memo” or “Memorandum” at the top, followed by a To line, a From line, a Dateline, a Subject line, and then the actual body of the message. Traditionally, you would print out a memo and distribute it to the relevant parties inside your small business. The best ending for a memo is a clear closing action, stated in the last paragraph. And, be very clear about what you want your reader to know or do after reading the memo, which makes it easy for your reader to respond.

Get Creative with Memos

Just like that, you have written your first (or maybe multiple) memos! You can play around with it too, as you are not sending the memo to be official. Add what you like, be creative, the whole idea of National Memo Day is to have fun and play around with the humble memo, and celebrate something that never really gets spoken about but impacts many factions in life, every single day.

Learn More About Memos

Not sure what kind of memo to send? It’s time to do a little research! You have Directive memos, where instructions are given. Then there are the Status or progress report memos, where you report on the status or progress of some project or event. Lastly, but by no means a conclusion of the types of memos, you have the Field or trip report memos, where you document key information about events that occurred in the field or during a trip. So, go out and research, and pick what type of memo you are going to use when you go out and send your memo for National Memo Day! National Memo Day celebrates all forms of memos, from Grey Literature to Bench Memorandums! With the digital age in full swing, it can be a really nice change to send someone you know a physical piece of communication in the form of a memo. Not only are they personal, but also unexpected, and bring some light to whoever you send them too (Of course, that all depends on what you write inside it!). So go out, and celebrate National Memo Day with sending someone, or many people you know, a personal and memorable memo!

FAQ

What is the main difference between a memo and an email in a workplace setting?

A memo is typically a more formal, structured document used for internal communication about policies, decisions, or important updates, while an email is a flexible medium that can be informal or formal and can be sent internally or externally. Many organizations now send “memos” by email, but still expect memo-style elements such as a clear subject, brief background, and specific requested actions.

When is it better to use a memo instead of a report or letter?

Writers usually choose a memo when they need to communicate concise information, decisions, or instructions to people inside the same organization. Reports are better when detailed analysis, data, or extensive background are needed, and letters are typically used for external audiences such as clients, regulators, or the general public. Business-writing guides often stress that memos should be short, focused on one main issue, and designed for quick reading by busy colleagues or managers.

What are the key parts of an effective business memo?

Most professional guides recommend that a memo include clearly labeled headings (such as To, From, Date, and Subject), followed by a brief opening that states the purpose, a middle section with essential details, and a closing that specifies what the reader should do next. Good memos use clear subject lines, short paragraphs, and plain language so that readers can grasp the main point in a few seconds.

What common mistakes make memos less effective?

Common problems include vague subject lines, burying the main point in the middle, using overly technical or formal language, and sending the memo to people who do not need the information. Business communication experts also note that long, dense paragraphs, emotional language, or unclear next steps can keep a memo from getting the response the writer wants.

How have digital tools changed the way memos are written and used?

Digital communication has shifted many memos from printed pages to email, intranets, and collaboration platforms, but the core purpose remains to record and share important information inside an organization. Modern “email memos” often combine traditional memo structure with features like hyperlinks, attachments, and distribution lists, and writers are encouraged to craft strong subject lines and scannable text so they stand out in crowded inboxes.

What is a bench memo or bench memorandum in the legal world?

A bench memo is a written document prepared for a judge, usually by a law clerk or staff attorney, that summarizes the facts, legal issues, and arguments in a case before a hearing or trial. Legal education sources describe bench memos as a way to help judges quickly understand the key questions they must decide and to keep complex case information organized and accessible.

How is a Memorandum of Understanding different from an internal office memo?

A Memorandum of Understanding, often called an MOU, is a formal written agreement between two or more parties that outlines shared intentions, responsibilities, and areas of cooperation, sometimes in international or interagency contexts. By contrast, an internal memo is usually a short, in-house communication about operations, policies, or updates and is not meant to function as a negotiated agreement between separate organizations.