Memorial Day, an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer.
Early Observances of Memorial Day
The Civil War claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history, requiring the establishment of the country’s first national cemeteries. By the late 1860s Americans in various towns and cities had begun holding springtime tributes to these countless fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers.
It is unclear where exactly this tradition originated; numerous different communities may have independently initiated the memorial gatherings. Nevertheless, in 1966 the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day. Waterloo—which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—was chosen because it hosted an annual, community-wide event, during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.
It is unclear where exactly this tradition originated; numerous different communities may have independently initiated the memorial gatherings. Nevertheless, in 1966 the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day. Waterloo—which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—was chosen because it hosted an annual, community-wide event, during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.
Decoration Day
On May 5, 1862, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month. “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,” he proclaimed. The date of Decoration Day, as he called it, was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle.
On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfieldmade a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there. Many Northern states held similar commemorative events and reprised the tradition in subsequent years; by 1890 each one had made Decoration Day an official state holiday. Many Southern states, on the other hand, continued to honor their dead on separate days until after World War I.
On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfieldmade a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there. Many Northern states held similar commemorative events and reprised the tradition in subsequent years; by 1890 each one had made Decoration Day an official state holiday. Many Southern states, on the other hand, continued to honor their dead on separate days until after World War I.
Evolution of Memorial Day
Memorial Day, as Decoration Day gradually came to be known, originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War. But during World War I the United Statesfound itself embroiled in another major conflict, and the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars.
For decades, Memorial Day continued to be observed on May 30, the date Logan had selected for the first Decoration Day. But in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees; the change went into effect in 1971. The same law also declared Memorial Day a federal holiday.
For decades, Memorial Day continued to be observed on May 30, the date Logan had selected for the first Decoration Day. But in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees; the change went into effect in 1971. The same law also declared Memorial Day a federal holiday.
Memorial Day Traditions
Cities and towns across the United States host Memorial Day parades each year, often incorporating military personnel and members of veterans’ organizations. Some of the largest parades take place in Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. Americans also observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials. On a less somber note, many people throw parties and barbecues on the holiday, perhaps because it unofficially marks the beginning of summer.
Bee's Note:
Memorial Day Memories:
I have fond memories of the Memorial Day weekends with my family. The day began by attending the annual parade and what child does not enjoy parades? As a young child, I did not relate this holiday as a somber one because it was one weekend when I knew I would be seeing my aunts, uncles, and cousins and there were many of us when we got together for a barbecue. Some of the adults would also visit the cemetery, loaded down with flower baskets to place on our loved ones' graves.
Years have past and many of the family members who attended those parades and barbecues have now passed on and the graves that once reminded me of my grandparents, are now a reminder of more relatives gone before me than those who remain here on earth. Growing old does have its drawbacks and one is the fact that so many of my beloved family members are no longer with me. So, yes, Memorial Day is not just about barbecues any longer - it is a weekend filled with memories, both happy and sad ones - it is a landmark of time and a reminder that none of us shall live forever. In my family, we honor not just the heroes who served in previous wars - we honor all who were a huge part of our lives.
As for the barbecues, yes, we will be attending one this year - traditions are passed on from generation to generation. Now, the younger members of the family hold the cookouts. However, I don't think of Memorial Day weekend as "unofficially" marking the beginning of summer, or the reason why my family holds a cookout. For us, it allows travel time, so that those living a few states away will have time to travel to the yearly barbecue. Three-day weekends are rare and we have traditionally learned how to take advantage of these rare times.
Fresh fruit and vegetables, corn on the cob, the strawberry desserts, and meat grilled outside are well worth the trip! You will hear the soft sounds of music playing in the background, but it is the catching up on "family" news that is the highlight of our gathering. And, for us, we don't need a teleprompter to express our thoughts - our thoughts are shared from our hearts and souls, with love and appreciation for everyone within our smaller-sized family, but a family who understands the importance of our freedoms, our liberty, and especially, for our nation, "under God".
Thank you, to all who have served our country - your sacrifices are remembered and we pray that each and every one of you return home, safely to your families. And, for those who have paid the greatest sacrifice, ... the video (below) is a Memorial Day tribute to all our Veterans; the song, "Don't Cry for Me":
