Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, was made official on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan. It was first observed 30 May that same year--flowers were placed on the graves of over 20,000 Union and Confederation soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery, and there were events in 27 other states.
(SOURCE)
The first state to recognize the holiday was New York in 1873; in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, NY as the birthplace of Memorial Day. In 1971 Congress made it a national holiday that would always land on the last Monday in May, although there have been efforts (notably by Senator Inouye who introduced a bill in 1999) to change it back to 30 May.
*********
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_day
http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html
http://www.history.com/topics/memorial-day-history
*********
So, have a great Memorial Day! And don't forget to remember why this holiday began: to honor those who died in service.
-----The Golden Eagle
22 comments:
Thank you for reminding us. We must never forget those who gave their lives in service.
Didn't realize it had been a National holiday for only forty years.
Happy Memorial Day, Golden!
We don't have that memorial day, but I think it's good that you guys do.
I hope you didn't experience a loss yourself, though. That must be really tough.
Beste regards,
Nahno ∗ McLein ™
Have a good Memorial Day, Golden Eagle!!! Take care
x
Have a wonderful Memorial Day!
Best wishes to those commemorating Memorial Day.
Beautiful post! Thank you for reminding everyone why we have this holiday.
Beautiful sentiments. Thank you!
I didn't realize someone was trying to change it back to the 30th.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium
It snowed here. Hope you had better weather. :D
I didn't know the history behind it, thank you for sharing that! Have a wonderful holiday.
Thank you so much for the reminder. This is an important day that I think a lot of us just think of as another day off.
Thanks too for following my little blog. I'm so glad you found me! Have a great Memorial Day!
Funny, I still call it decoration day. Hope you had a good one Golden! :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
When I was growing up, every Memorial Day was a time to draw together as a community, place flowers and flags on the graves, be with family. It is a time to remember.
enjoy your memorial day! unfortunately, we didn't get to share that holiday that here. :)
We have a similar event in Canada, called "Remembrance Day," which occurs on November 11th each year. (The date recalls the end of World War One, on Nov. 11, 1918.)
I had an uncle who died in that war. Turns out he was the first of three generations in our family to be in uniform.
Hope you have a grand Memorial Day. And thanks for the history lesson.
Just goes to show I can learn something new every day.
I haven't been in the US that long so Memorial Day is new for me, but it's lovely to see so many remembered for their service. Great post.
That's interesting. I've been wondering how it started. Thanks for sharing!
:-)
I remember as a kid in Scouts we would place flags on graves on Memorial weekend. What a great memory. Thanks for the history lesson!
so mote it be!
Gail: Exactly!
Alex: I hadn't know it, either!
Nahno: No, I haven't; a couple family members have been to Vietnam, but they came back safe.
Old Kitty: Thanks! I hope you had a good Monday. :)
Emily: Thank you! I hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day.
Charles: :) Thanks for coming by!
Tracy: Same here!
Alleged: Thank you!
Kittie: Thank you--and I hope you had a great holiday. :)
Nancy: Yup; personally, I don't think it's a bad idea. The banks would get a holiday, 3-day weekend or no. :P
M: We did! Although it's currently in the 80s and supposed to get hotter. First too much rain, and now it's roasting.
Heather: You're welcome! :)
K.D.: I try to take a moment to remember the reason why we have national holidays like this; I suppose that's part of the reason why Senator Inouye is trying to return the day to May 30th, every year.
Just had to follow when I came across your blog. :D
Thanks!
Jules: I hadn't known it was called Decoration Day until I looked it up; interesting that there are two names, isn't it?
I did! Hope you enjoyed yours. :)
Susan: It is. So many people have lost their lives in wars; they should be remembered and honored.
Levian: Thanks!
Is there anything like Memorial Day in your country?
Rob-bear: I'm sorry to hear about your uncle.
World War I often seems overlooked--there has been so much research done, and books written, on WWII, but relatively little on WWI. Despite the fact 37.5 million people died.
Thanks!
You're welcome.
Jennifer: I'm glad this country has Memorial Day, too.
Thank you!
Misha: You're welcome! :)
Stephen: That does sound like a great memory.
Anytime! :)
Laughingwolf: Indeed.
Post a Comment