A Brief History of Memorial Day

Every year, on the last Monday in May, Americans observe Memorial Day. Originally called “Decoration Day,” Memorial Day is a holiday to commemorate those who died in battle while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Historians traced the origin of Memorial Day back to the American Civil War. The end of fighting brought great relief and peace to many but was also a time of intense grief. Thousands of soldiers lost their lives, and those who survived often returned home to hear that their fathers, brothers and other relatives had been killed. Following the end of the war, people across the US decorated the graves of Civil War soldiers with flowers and flags, held special services for the deceased with songs and speeches, and honored the dead in other solemn ways.

An important figure in establishing the official observance of Memorial Day was General John A. Logan. On May 5, 1868, General Logan issued an order to designate May 30 as a day to honor those who died in the Civil War by decorating the graves of soldiers and sailors from the North and South. General Logan called it “Decoration Day.”

In 1882 the name changed to Memorial Day. Then in 1971 President Richard Nixon declared it a national holiday with Memorial Day being observed on the last Monday in May.

Today, veterans and volunteers place flags on the graves of veterans, sell small red artificial flowers called poppies to raise funds for disabled veterans, and the American flag flies at half-staff until noon. Memorial Day is more than just a day to remember Civil War soldiers who died for our country. The United States has fought in many other wars, and there are countless people who have died serving our country. Memorial Day is a time to honor any American service member who has fought and died in an American war.

Let us remember the fallen in all the American Wars: The American Revolution, War of 1812, American Indian Wars, Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Grenada, Panama, Gulf War, Bosnian War, Haiti, Kosovo, War in Afghanistan, and Iraq War.