Memorial Day

## What is Memorial Day? Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States dedicated to honoring and remembering the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military. The holiday originated after the American Civil War to commemorate Union and Confederate soldiers who had died in the war. Over time, it was expanded to honor all American military personnel who have died in any conflict. Memorial Day is marked by various traditions, including ceremonies at cemeteries and memorials, parades, and a National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 PM local time. It also signifies the unofficial start of summer in the United States. ## When is Memorial Day? Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May each year in the United States. This placement ensures a three-day weekend for many Americans, marking the unofficial start of summer while honoring the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military. ## Traditional Activities of Memorial Day ### Ceremonies and Parades **Parades**: Many towns and cities hold Memorial Day parades featuring veterans, military personnel, marching bands, and floats. These parades often conclude with ceremonies at local cemeteries or memorials. **Ceremonies**: Public ceremonies are held at cemeteries, memorials, and monuments. These events often include speeches by veterans and public officials, the laying of wreaths, and the playing of "Taps." ### Visiting Cemeteries and Memorials **Grave Decorations**: People visit the graves of fallen soldiers to place flowers, flags, and other decorations. This tradition dates back to the holiday's origins as Decoration Day. **National Cemeteries**: National cemeteries, such as Arlington National Cemetery, hold special events and ceremonies. Many visitors come to pay their respects and honor the fallen. ### Patriotic Displays **Flag Etiquette**: The American flag is flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset. This tradition symbolizes mourning in the morning and the resolve of the living to carry on in the afternoon. **Red Poppies**: Red poppies are worn and distributed as a symbol of remembrance, inspired by the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields." ### National Moment of Remembrance **Moment of Silence**: At 3:00 PM local time, Americans are encouraged to pause for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in military service. ## The History of Memorial Day ### The Origins of Memorial Day Memorial Day has its roots in the American Civil War when citizens began decorating the graves of fallen soldiers. In the late 1860s, Americans in various towns and cities held tributes to the countless soldiers who died during the war, decorating their graves with flowers during the Spring. One of the earliest recorded observances was organized by a group of formerly enslaved people in Charleston, South Carolina less than a month after the Confederacy surrendered [in 1865](https://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/memorial-day/history/). ### Decoration Day On May 5, 1868, General John Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance. He declared May 30th as Decoration Day, choosing the date because it wasn't the anniversary of any Civil War battle. On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Civil War soldiers buried there. ### The Evolution to Memorial Day Decoration Day originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War. This changed after World War I, and the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars. For decades, it continued to be observed on May 30th. [In 1971](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day#:~:text=In%201971%2C%20Congress%20standardized%20the%20holiday%20as%20%22Memorial%20Day%22%20and%20changed%20its%20observance%20to%20the%20last%20Monday%20in%20May.), 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.

Memorial Day - Next Year

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