Memorial Day

History of Memorial Day

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set

aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was

first widely observed on May 30,1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil

War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of

the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868,

Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that there would be an 1880 Memorial

Day parade on Riverside Drive in New York City.

The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with

flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense

of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in

almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this

observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in

their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as

circumstances may permit.

During the first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a

speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped

to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers

buried in the cemetery.

This 1868 celebration was inspired by local observances of the day in several

towns throughout America that had taken place in the three years since the

Civil War. In fact, several Northern and Southern cities claim to be the

birthplace of Memorial Day, including Columbus, Mississippi; Macon, Georgia;

Richmond, Virginia; Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; and Carbondale, Illinois.

In 1966, the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon

Johnson, declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial

Day. They chose Waterloo which had first celebrated the day on May 5,

1866 because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event

during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers

with flowers and flags.

By the late 1800s, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate

Memorial Day and, after World War I, observances also began to honor those

who had died in all of America's wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial

Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. (Veterans

Day, a day set aside to honor all veterans, living and dead, is celebrated

each year on November 11.) A Memorial Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Today, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a

ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Also, it is

customary for the president or vice-president to give a speech honoring the

contributions of the dead and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown

Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.

The WWII Veterans Memorial was dedicated in 2004.

The memorial ''will stand forever as a tribute to the generation that fought that war, and to the more than 400,000 Americans who gave their lives. Because of their sacrifice, tyrants fell, fascism and Nazism were vanquished and freedom prevailed,'' the president said.

Veterans began lining up on the Mall at dawn, more than 100,000 with tickets for the afternoon dedication of the sweeping granite and bronze monument between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

Both the Observed and traditional day are recognized by most Active military and veterans. It is a time to remember the cost of Freedom and be thankful for what we do have. A time to remember those who gave all they had to give.

A time to Thank God for so many blessings.