Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day in the United States. It is a Federal holiday and is always celebrated on the last Monday in May.

Originally it was called Decoration Day to remember those who died in the US military. President Johnson first named Waterloo, NY as the birthplace of Memorial Day because the city held an official event celebrating this day in 1866. When James Garfield, soon to be President, placed flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery, it became the first official observation of Memorial Day. Almost 5000 people decorated graves at Arlington Cemetery in 1868 for its first Memorial Day ceremony. All of the northern states recognized this day by 1890 and the south did the same after World War I because it honored Americans who died in any war and not just the Civil War.

Memorial Day used to be celebrated every May 30 until 1971 when it was changed to the last Monday in May and was considered a Federal holiday.

Have a safe and fun Memorial Day!

Photo by Justin Casey on Unsplash