Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. There are many stories about the beginnings of Memorial Day and it is hard to say where it actually began. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.
The first state to officially recognize Memorial Day was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the holiday until after World War I (when the holiday was changed from honoring just those who died fighting the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). In 1971 the official date of Memorial Day was set by act of Congress as the last Monday in May.
For most Americans Memorial Day is celebrated as the unofficial start of summer. The original meaning of the day has almost been forgotten. But please, as you enjoy the holiday, take a moment to remember those who made it possible for us to enjoy it.
Tags: American Life, History, Holidays
Senior Moments 
May 30, 2011 at 6:52 am |
today we remember the dead in battle, and not those of us still living in the battle of life.
May 30, 2011 at 7:09 am |
Remembering those who have given everything for our freedom and prayers for those still in harm’s way.
May 30, 2011 at 7:18 am |
Hope you had a nice day.
May 30, 2011 at 8:57 am |
May you be blessed this Memorial Day! Interesting extra facts! Have a great week!
May 30, 2011 at 9:23 am |
Have a wonderful, peaceful and blessed Memorial Day.
May 30, 2011 at 10:29 am |
Great post and reminder for the day, George! Enjoyed reading some of the history of the day that I was unfamiliar with and I do thank you for that. Hope you and Betsy have a most wonderful Memorial Day and a great week ahead!
Sylvia
May 30, 2011 at 10:45 am |
Interesting. Have a great holiday.
May 30, 2011 at 10:50 am |
I hope you’ve been having a lovely weekend, George. Did you visit your mom and dad? How are thy?
May 30, 2011 at 1:32 pm |
Thanks for the info. I always thought that the holiday was started after WWI.
It’s also my birthday.
May 30, 2011 at 2:39 pm |
Little mention is made of it now, but North Carolina has a state holiday on May 10th marking Confederate Memorial Day.
May 31, 2011 at 2:19 am |
May, 5th is our Liberation Day. On this day we were liberated from the nazis in 1945 thanks to the Canadians and Americans!
May 31, 2011 at 8:32 pm |
A very, very important day and worthy of remembrance.
June 3, 2011 at 1:06 am |
One of the most important day of the year.