The United States currently recognizes Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, each year on the last Monday of May through a variety of services and gestures. This is a day in which the nation remembers the men and women who died while serving in the military.
How Memorial Day Holiday Began in the United States
Many places and groups have laid claim to being the first to celebrate Memorial Day. Many private groups sought to honor fallen heroes of battles and wars of the past through ceremonies at various times of the year through various private, informal, or one-time events.
One generally recognized large scale effort to honor the deceased Union and Confederate soldiers of the Civil War was enacted by Major General John A. Logan, who was the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). After Maj. Gen. Logan’s proclamation on May 5, 1868, Decoration Day was first celebrated on May 30, 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery, which is the final resting place of more than 260,000 veterans and also houses the Tomb of the Unknowns, where a constant vigil is kept by Tomb Guard Sentinels.
Speeches were offered and members of the GAR and children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home recited prayers and sang hymns while placing flowers on the Union and Confederate graves during the 1868 Decoration Day. This first Decoration Day was attended by approximately 5,000 people. The date of May 30 may have been chosen because many flowers would be in bloom for the special occasion.
New York made the holiday official in 1873. All of the Northern States officially recognized the holiday of remembering fallen soldiers from the Civil War by 1890. Southern States generally honored their late soldiers on other days until the ceremonies memorialized fallen American heroes from any war after World War I.
Some Southern States Have Separate Memorial Day
Some Southern States still honor fallen Confederate soldiers on different dates and call the holiday by various names, including Confederate Memorial Day, Confederate Decoration Day, and Confederate Heroes Day. Official dates of these celebrations include:
- Mississippi – last Monday of April
- Alabama – fourth Monday of April
- North Carolina and South Carolina – May 10
- Louisana and Tennessee – June 3
- Texas – January 19
- Virginia – last Monday of May
Recent History of American Memorial Day
The end of the 19th century found many states designating May 30 as Memorial Day. Approximately 25 places have claimed to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. In May 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York the official “birthplace” of Memorial Day in America.
In 1971, Congress, under President Richard Nixon, designated Memorial Day as a national holiday, although some still refer to it as Decoration Day. The date of observance was changed from the traditional observance date of May 30 to the last Monday in May in order to provide more 3-day holidays in that year. This decision was fraught with controversy as Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and several other national holidays were changed from their original dates.
The National Moment of Remembrance, officially signed into law by President Bill Clinton in December 2000, is observed at 3:00 p.m. on Memorial Day. People in America are asked to pause for one minute to remember those who have died while serving the country.
How Memorial Day is Celebrated in America
Memorial Day observances have remembered soldiers who have died in service through speeches, parades, ceremonies, a moment of silence, prayers, listening to Taps, and other solemn remembrances at memorials, towns, and cemeteries throughout the country. Gravestones are often decorated with small American flags or sometimes candles by veterans groups, groups such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and other concerned groups and individuals.
American flags, also known as "Old Glory," around the nation are flown at half-staff until noon, at which time the flags are raised to full-staff. Some also fly the POW/MIA flag. Some groups and individuals seek to offer aid to disabled veterans through service projects.
Red poppies are often worn on Memorial Day to remember those who served the United States. This tradition was begun by Moina Michael, who wrote a poem to honor fallen heroes entitled “In Flanders Fields.” Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) was the first national organization to sell poppies. They are often made by disabled American Veterans.
On Memorial Day 2006, President George W. Bush signed into law a bill that prohibits demonstrations at funerals of service members who have died, preserving the dignity of men and women who served the country and allowing their families to grieve in peace.
America Remembers Fallen Veterans on Memorial Day
The United States as a nation seeks to remember those who have died while serving their country. Many individuals and organizations started traditions which have culminated into the national holiday now called Memorial Day.
Readers may also wish to view:
How to Honor a Deceased Father
How to Honor a Deceased Mother
Guide Dogs and Service Dogs Help Disabled Veterans
PTSD Symptoms in Veterans of Foreign Wars
Sources:
United States Department of Veterans Affairs November 10, 2009 web article “Memorial Day History”
SUV & David Merchant April 4, 2009 web articles “Memorial Day History” and “How to Observe Memorial Day”
Katrena Wells - Katrena Wells is a RN in NC with 17 1/2 years of experience in oncology, an educator since 1995, and has taught exercise classes since ...
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